Mitchell’s wings help New Zealand win the T20 World Cup
New Zealand advanced to the T20 World Cup final by defeating England by five wickets in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the opening batsman’s unbeaten 72.
It wasn’t a Super Over this time, but it was still a night of ups and downs. Following a late flourish from James Neesham 26 (10) and a match-winning Daryl Mitchell innings of 73 (48), New Zealand won by 5 wickets in the 19th over to send pre-tournament favorites England packing and clinch a place in the T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand required 57 runs to reach the 16-over mark in their run chase, chasing 167.
It had been a long day of batting practice. That’s when Neesham decided to shoulder the responsibility. In a 23-run Chris Jordan over, he targeted the midwicket and long-on arc and smashed two sixes.
It was now a 34-in-3 situation. To round out the team, England brought in Adil Rashid. Mitchell’s wings With spinners having a hard time, Neesham couldn’t go wrong. On the other end, he went for the mid-wicket boundary and sent the ball comfortably over the ropes. Mitchell’s wings, on the other hand, used a six of his own to free his arms. England was getting away from us.
Then Neesham made a blunder. England needed 20 runs from the last two overs, and Rashid had a wicket.
Chris Woakes took the field to bowl. He had been fantastic on the powerplay, but now he was bowling death overs. He needed to modify his lengths soon. He couldn’t; he didn’t. Mitchell had batted in every inning of the game. He removed Woakes’ short balls’ leather. It was over at 2,6,6,1,1,4. England was returning to its homeland.
It wasn’t the same atmosphere in Abu Dhabi as at Lord’s two years ago when the teams put on a show to remember. But that didn’t matter; the stakes were just as high here, with a spot in the finals on the line. It was also not a day when it rained fours and sixes. With the extended limits here, that’s not going to happen. And with both teams’ devious strategies in action.
