Mitchell, Neesham late show downs England, powers NZ into final

by Champika Fernando in Abu Dhabi

• NZ will play the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan today

Two years after a spectacular 50-over World Cup final that broke the hearts of New Zealanders, the Kiwis delivered a knockout blow to England last night, beating them by five wickets to enter the finals of the 20-over global showpiece for the first time in their cricketing history. 

England, a dominant force in white-ball cricket, could not stop the game’s “nice guys” from creating history as the crowd danced to a Sri Lankan traditional ‘papare’ band at the Sheikh Zayad Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

England, put into bat first by Kane Williamson, powered their way to 166 for 4 on the back of a maiden half-century at these games from Moeen Ali and good knocks from Dawid Malan (41) and Jos Buttler (29).

But the total was chased down effectively, largely thanks to Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 72 (47 balls) and Jimmy Neesham’s quick-fire 27 off 11 balls, shattering England’s title hopes.

New Zealand needed 60 runs off the last five overs but Livingstone struck with the first ball of the 16th over, removing Glenn Phillips to put England in a strong position. Livingstone finished with figures of 2 for 22 runs, with his last over conceding just three runs as New Zealand needed 57 off the last four overs.

However, Neesham plundered Chris Jordan for 23 off the 17th as they brought the down the equation to 34 off 18 balls, before a further 14 runs were taken off the 18th over bowled by Adil Rashid. But when big-hitting Neesham fell, caught well Morgan at cover, England might have sniffed a chance. New Zealand needed 20 off the last two overs at that point but Mitchell ensured there were no last over jitters, taking Chris Woakes for two sixers and a four to take New Zealand over the line.

Mitchell’s masterful innings that included four sixes and four boundaries took New Zealand home with an over to spare. It was a comprehensive performance by the New Zealand cricketers who are now chasing history in the Sunday’s final.