World cup Match 9: England vs New Zealand Review; England in lots of trouble

World cup Match 9: England vs New Zealand Review; England in lots of trouble

Well the match today was supposed to be England’s chance to get in a match winning performance against a good side and stake their claim for the World cup crown. That didn’t happen at all. What happened was that England just gave Kevin Pietersen more reasons to smile about.

England batted first at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington in hope of putting a good total up front. But little did they know that this day would be the most embarrassing day for them forever. Tim Southee ran through their side with the white ball like a surgeon does an operation. Quick, with precision and England didn’t know what happened until it was too late. Southee picked up the 3rd best bowling figures in World cup history for his 7/33. Only resistance came from Joe Root (46) and Moeen Ali (20), the rest of the batsmen, well they were in and out of the ground like a parade.  England lost their last 7 wicket for 19 runs. Southee broke England in his second spell, when he swung the ball away from right handers and got wickets on a platter. England was bowled out for 123 runs in 33.2 overs.

New Zealand’s reply was all about Brendon McCullum’s 18 ball 50 and the pasting that Steven Finn got.  Finn went for 49 runs in his 2 overs giving away 6 sixes and 3 fours of his 12 balls. McCullum ended up making 77 runs of 25 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes before being dismissed by Chris Woakes.  Kane Williamson just had to oblige and finish the match and New Zealand did that in 12.5 overs, winning by 8 wickets and 226 balls in hand.

England needs a serious reality check from here and should do a deep analysis of this loss. New Zealand just concreted their claim for the semi-final spot from group A.

Brief Scores:
England 123 (J Root 46, M Ali 20; T Southee 7/33) lost to New Zealand 125/2 12.2 overs (B McCullum 77, M Guptill 22; C Woakes 2/8)by 8 wickets with 226 balls remaining.