New Zealand and England took on each other in a Group 1 encounter of the 20-20 World Cup 2022. England won the toss and decided to bat first at The Gabba in Brisbane. This decision turned out well for them as the two openers got them off to a flying start with the bat. Captain Jos Buttler and Alex Hales started the proceedings for the three lions in this all-important clash. The two had not performed well in the tournament before this, but things turned around in this match.
The two had all the intentions to go big in this match, and they did. They added a partnership of 81 runs before Hales was dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the 11th over. He had completed his half-century by then and scored 52 runs in 40 balls. Buttler, having been dropped twice, continued to play well. After the wicket of Moeen Ali, he was joined by Liam Livingstone, who played a short cameo of 20 runs.
Before being run out in the 19th over, the team captain had scored 73 runs in 47 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. England finished with a total of 179/6 in 20 overs. Lockie Ferguson was the standout Kiwi bowler, taking two wickets in the game. Tim Southee, Santner, and Ish Sodhi also took one wicket each.
The Blackcaps did not get the best start in the chase as they lost Devon Conway in the second over itself. Finn Allen, the other opener, was quick to depart as well. After that, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips formed an important partnership, but the captain was too slow. Having scored 40 runs in 40 balls, Williamson was dismissed in the 15th over for a team score of 119.
Phillips (62 runs in 32 balls), on the other hand, continued to play well and completed his half-century. With the wickets of Daryll Mitchell and Phillips in the 18th over, Sam Curran brought the Men in Red back into the game. After that, New Zealand was unable to get going and was limited to 159/6. England won the encounter by 20 runs in the end.
Here is how Twitter reacted to England's win
I guess there's a case for having Chris Jordan fielding for 20 overs
— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) November 1, 2022
Congratulations England !
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) November 1, 2022
That’s points table though is the real thriller !
NZ, Eng and Australia all 3 on 5 points ! #T20WorldCup2022
#ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup
— g0v!ñD $#@®mA (@rishu_1809) November 1, 2022
Scene at New Zealand Dug-Out :
Glenn Phillips Kane Williamson pic.twitter.com/4z5voPVnx0
England stays alive in the T20 World Cup 2022.#CricTracker #ENGvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/IQxS2LEElF
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) November 1, 2022
I'm seeing this guy everywhere after his 1-10 off 1 over and 8 off 7 balls. https://t.co/xnG8KUUmYM
— Alex from King Cricket (@TheKingsTweets) November 1, 2022
Our #T20WorldCup dream is still alive!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 1, 2022
Scorecard: https://t.co/zIxvMw3gn5#T20WorldCup | #England pic.twitter.com/HSg9LwSxKC
England keep their #T20WorldCup semis hopes alive, beat New Zealand by 20 runshttps://t.co/hSoQXMWy5S#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/Jc8xF63NbF
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 1, 2022
🏴 MASSIVE WIN 🏴
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) November 1, 2022
An amazing performance from England under huge pressure 😍#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ivnno6E61E
England keep their semi-final hopes alive with victory against New Zealand!
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 1, 2022
Job done, for now...#T20WorldCup #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/KFvdU6nsCc
Buttler, Hales, Woakes and Sam Curran step up to deliver a much-needed win for England #T20WorldCup #ENGvNZ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 1, 2022
👉 https://t.co/7fJgYP9SKz pic.twitter.com/i5J4hn5DdG