“Always the one-man army for the Kiwis”- Glenn Phillips’ special knock goes in vain as England end New Zealand’s winning streak
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England beat New Zealand by 20 runs
Glenn Phillips, once again, was the man to rescue his team from a terrible situation with his half-century but failed to guide the Kiwis to victory. England snatched a crucial win by 20 runs at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday [November 1] to stay alive for the semi-finals.
The Kiwis had to recover from the loss of two quick wickets. Chris Woakes drew the first blood by dismissing Devon Conway in the second over, while Finn Allen’s knock was ended by Sam Curran in the fifth over.
Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips then continued to charge for the Blackcaps until Ben Stokes put an end to the Kiwi skipper’s stay at the crease in the 15th over, which was also his first spell. Williamson played a slow but crucial knock of 40 runs off 40 balls, with three fours, and gave away a catch to Adil Rashid.
Earlier, Buttler won the toss and decided to bat first. He started sluggishly but went on to play a captain’s innings by smashing 73 runs off 47 (with seven fours and two sixes) balls until Williamson’s run-out sent him to the dugout in the 19th over. Another opener, Alex Hales, also whacked 52 runs off 40 balls (with seven fours and a six) to steer England to a defendable 179/6 in 20 overs.
James Neesham‘s innings was short-lived when Mark Wood banged his short ball on the middle, making Neesham miscue his pull shot toward deep mid-wicket and eventually giving a catch to Sam Curran. Neesham could add just six runs off three balls with a four.
Woakes dismissed Daryl Mitchell (three runs off five balls) in the next over, while Curran sent a shock to the Kiwis in the next over when his delivery ousted Phillips, as he ended up giving a catch to Chris Jordan. Phillips completed another half-century in the marquee event. He played 25 balls to score his 50 and departed after 62 runs off 36 balls, studded with four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 172.22.
England got hold of the momentum after Phillips’ departure. They knew that victory was not too far, and eventually won the match by 20 runs.
After this match, New Zealand stand at the top of the points table, followed by England. Australians wanted the Kiwis to win to clear their path to the semi-final. But after England’s win, it has become difficult for the defending champions.
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Gouri Das
(4695 Articles Published)