The first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2021 between England and New Zealand was the perfect opportunity for the Black Caps to exact revenge. And they did so in style as Jonny Bairstow‘s brilliant effort on the boundary line went in vain. At the end of 16 overs, the Kiwis had a daunting task ahead of them with 57 runs required off just 24 balls.
While it looked impossible at a point, Chris Jordan‘s 26 run ver turned the tables. Jimmy Neesham went berserk hitting two sixes and a four off Jordan. It was on the fourth ball of the over that Neesham tried to muscle a slower delivery over midwicket. Bairstow charged from long-on in an attempt to pull it in and almost completed a relay catch only for his knees to touch the rope.
Jonny Bairstow’s stunning effort gives a flashback to the infamous 2019 World Cup final
The much-debated 2019 World Cup final witnessed a thrilling encounter between England and New Zealand, one where the Three Lions emerged on top by the boundary count rule. England went on to draw the game from a tricky position before the super over too ended up with a tie.
In that infamous final, it was such a boundary line effort from a Trent Boult which proved to be crucial for the chasing side. In the penultimate over of the game, when England needed 22 runs off the last nine deliveries, Ben Stokes tonked a slower ball over midwicket. This time it was Jimmy Neesham who was at the receiving end and Trent Boult touched the ropes while attempting a relay catch.
With a win in the semifinal, New Zealand booked their maiden appearance in a T20 World Cup final. They will be awaiting the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan for the final showdown. The final will be the Kiwis’ third in three consecutive ICC tournaments over the last four years.
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