New Zealand has shocked the odds once again, proving themselves to be the strongest all-format team in cricket by defeating England by five wickets in their T20 World Cup semi-final. Creating hope to win their second global trophy of the year.
The World Test champions remained ice-cold under pressure in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, just as the chance to face either Australia or Pakistan in the final on Sunday appeared to have slipped away with just four overs to go.
With 57 required off those 24 balls, the Black Caps found a new hero in unheralded opener Daryl Mitchell, who starred in the finale, blazing to an undefeated 72 off 47 balls.
The 30-year-old had earlier struggled on a pitch that felt slow and two-paced as he sought to lead the pursuit of England’s challenging 4-166.
It was until he found an unrestricted partner in Jimmy Neesham, who launched a scorching onslaught in a tense and eventually disastrous 17th over from Chris Jordan. The 17th over of Chris Jordan was a turning point of the match.
The England paceman misjudged his length, bowled two wides, and was hit for 23 runs.
Mitchell had grabbed control by the time Neesham went to Adil Rashid in the next over, hitting a six off the legspinner before scoring 19 of the 20 runs in Chris Woakes’ next over to blitz New Zealand to their target with an over to spare.
“I knew it was going to be a tremendous game of cricket, and I was right,” Williamson remarked.
“It ebbed and flowed, as it frequently does when we compete against one other, but I’m incredibly pleased with the passion that came through in the performance.”
Following their triumph in the 50-over World Cup in Melbourne in 2015, Australia will face Pakistan in the second semi-final on 11th Nov, in Dubai.
It was England’s first competitive match against New Zealand since the 2019 World Cup thriller at Lord’s, and everything seemed to be going Eoin Morgan’s way until Neesham’s game-changing effort.
Mitchell, who was clearly inspired, found his timing to smack four fours and four sixes in a performance that earned him the player of the match award.
He was ecstatic, especially with his family cheering from the stands. “I suppose with what’s going on in the world right now, being able to travel halfway around the world and have them be here is pretty cool,” he remarked.
Woakes demolished New Zealand’s top order, dismissing important players Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson in consecutive overs, putting the Black Caps on the back foot.
However, Mitchell and Devon Conway (46 off 38) rebuilt the innings, keeping England in command until Neesham’s late attack and Mitchell’s superb conclusion.