England did Pakistan a huge favour, by overpowering New Zealand in their final match of the super 8 stage, never had there been Pakistan’s hopes so much lying on England’s winning a match ever before. However, lucky for Pakistan the English came through for the men in green making way for the defending champions into the semi finals.
England team who have an altogether fresh look to them this time around, with players like Michale Lumb, Kieswetter and Eoin Morgan, none of whom is an English born player.
England went into the match as clear favourites, with New Zealand having won just one of their matches in super 8 stage, and equation for them was simple, win the match and go to the semi finals.
After winning the toss Danniel Vettori elected to bat first, and a brisk start vindicated the decision in first 4 overs, Ryder left for just 9 though, but Brendon Maccullum was going strong at the other end, and got able support from Redmond at number 3. But both were dismissed with the difference of 6 runs as Mccullum was caught by Lumb off the bowling of off spinner Graeme Swan for 33, and Redmon was also snapped up by Swan for 16 runs. Ross Taylor who has been out of sorts in the tournament hit some sort of form, as alongside Scot Styris he started to rebuild the kiwi innings putting on 62 for the 4th wicket, but when the time came for use the long handle, New Zealand just did not have the firepower at the death of the innings to propel their score, Styris was caught brilliantly by Luke Wright at long on while trying to go for the big one, from the bowling of Stuart Broad for 31, the wicketkeeper batsman Hopkins did not make an impression either cleaned up by Broad for 2, Black cap’s man of the match for first 2 matches Natchan McCullum’s plan to sweep or glide every ball to the leg side did not work either, and Taylor was dismissed in the penultimate over for 44, as Kiwis ended at a149 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs.
English reply started brightly much to the satisfaction of Pakistan team and their fans, after Kieswetter was dismissed with the score at 24, Ravi bhopara came in but played secdon fiddle to Michale lumb who continued to play his stroke, but Bhopara was a shadow of himself replacing Kevin Pietersen , which already were big shoes to fill and making a comeback after the ashes just could not find his feet, and soon after his wicket Collingwood was also sent packing, Eoin Morgan who once again showed nerves of steel and alongside Luke Wright started to lead the chase in his typical way, and England started making their way back steadily Morgan was dismissed with just 8 runs needed to win which sent some jitters down Pakistan’s spine, and 4 runs later Yardy also threw away his wicket. But Tim Bresnan kept his cool to guide England home on the first ball of the final over, keeping their 100% record in super 8s and also more importantly taking Pakistan to the semi finals with them.
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