New Zealand and England faced off each other on November 1, Tuesday in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 in the Gabba, Brisbane. After electing to bat first, the Three Lions put on a massive total of 179 runs on the board on the back of a well-crafted 73 from skipper Jos Buttler.
Alex Hales, who opened the innings alongside, contributed 52 runs with the bat before he made his way back in the 11th over off Mitchell Santner. Barring the openers, the rest of the batters failed to make an impact with the bat.
The opener, Hales was happy with the total and said that the team might defend it by giving it all. “I think it is a good score. It didn’t feel like a flat, true pitch that you typically get at the Gabba. Jos played exceptionally well to put the accelerator on at the back end, there’s a little bit of spin and tiny bit two-paced, if we bowl well we can defend it,” Hales said after the first innings.
England take home crucial 2 points
However, regarding the chase, the openers Fin Allen and Devon Conway made their way back to the dressing room for cheap scores. Kane Williamson, the skipper of the Black Caps and Glenn Phillips, who scored a great-hearted century the other day against Sri Lanka, lifted the team yet again.
While the New Zealand captain scored 40 runs, Phillips, on the other hand, returned to the dressing room for a 36-ball 62. Despite showing intent, the Kiwis fell short of the target by 21 runs. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes picked 2 wickets apiece while Mark Wood and Ben Stokes picked 1 each.
However, with this victory, England reduced Australia’s chances of making it to the knockouts. The Three Lions will face Sri Lanka next on Saturday and it will be a crucial match as a defeat against Sri Lanka could complicate things further. New Zealand, despite losing this match, are still in the race to make it to the semis and are the current favourites to win the title.
Let us take a look at a few Twitter reactions for the clash between England and Australia:
England won their big match against New Zealand ??#ICCT20WorldCup2022 #EngvsNz
— Ali Hydeer17 (@Ali_hydeer) November 1, 2022
When survival is at stake, the big teams present their A game to win.
Tonight, England and Buttler, both came into their own against formidable and consistent Kiwis#ENGvsNZ #ICCT20WorldCup2022— Ambika (@apmahapatra) November 1, 2022
England dug that win out of the bottom of the bag. #NZvENG fantastic win
— Neil Jones (@NeilJones51) November 1, 2022
White man good looks of Kane Williamson should not hold you back from criticizing him. Atleast temba doesn't waste so many deliveries. #NZvENG
— Rahul (@Containment_Zon) November 1, 2022
Well played England, possibly a rehearsal for the final.#NZvENG #T20WorldCup
— Phil McDonnell (@PhilipMcDonn74) November 1, 2022
England take the well-played WIN. Congratulations #NZvENG
— Brian Dixon ? ?? (@BrianBoruNZ) November 1, 2022
Group 1 becomes even more interesting now!#EngvsNZ
— Shafeeq (@imshafeeq27) November 1, 2022
England wins. They get closer to the Semi-final.#ENGvsNZ #NZvENG
— Aditya Kumar (@adityavaisya) November 1, 2022
England won by 20 runs and Now Point Table has been turned around with 3 teams having 5 point each ? !! Will Australia be able to qualify for the Semifinal ? #ENGvsNZ
— Urwah Ahmed (@Urwah_Ahmed_) November 1, 2022
