World T20 2016 1st Semi-Final Review: Bowlers, Roy take England to the summit clash

New Zealand, the most consistent and impressive side in the tournament, were hammered by a brilliant England unit in a one-sided contest in the 1st semi-final of the World T20 2016 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. Having peaked at the right time in the tournament, the English side brought it’s A game in the game. England won the toss and fielded first to restrict their opposition to 153/8 after the Kiwis had got off to a strong start. In reply, Jason Roy’s sparkling 78 off 44 balls ensured a comfortable 7-wicket win for his team.

Almost no one would have expected New Zealand to leave both Trent Boult and Tim Southee out for the entire group stage, yet the semi-final had arrived and they were excluded once more. Expectations of a slightly quicker surface in Delhi than New Zealand had normally encountered, with limited spin, led them to include the pace of Adam Milne ahead of the off-spin of Nathan McCullum. Eoin Morgan’s decision to bowl was influenced not just by England’s preference for chasing but the belief that evening dew in the second innings might tilt conditions a little in their favour.

Martin Guptill (15) hit 3 boundaries before giving David Willey (1/17) his only wicket for the day. In trying to go for an expansive drive, the right-hander nicked one behind and Jos Buttler took a comfortable catch. Kane Williamson and Colin Munro batted brilliantly and seemed to be taking their team to a huge total however their dismissals gave England an opening that they exploited expertly.

The Kiwi skipper was dismissed for 32 off 28 balls that included 3 fours and one six. He was caught and bowled by Moeen Ali (1/10). Munro hammered 46 off 32 balls including 7 fours and six before becoming Liam Plunkett’s (1/38) victim. Ross Taylor (6) was out to a brilliant catch from Morgan off Chris Jordan (1/24). From this point onwards it was the spell of Ben Stokes that did the maximum damage.

Stokes’ 3/26 plucked the wickets of Luke Ronchi (3), Corey Anderson (28) and Mitchell Santner (7) that didn’t allow the Kiwis to finish on a high. The last 5 overs produced 5 wickets and just 32 runs as England tilted the game in their favour. Grant Elliot, struggling to time the ball, made an unbeaten 4 off 6 balls and failed to hit a single boundary.

Jason Roy, who had kick-started England’s miraculous run-chase against South Africa in Mumbai 12 days earlier, was in scintillating form, taking 16 off Corey Anderson’s opening over, helping his team past 50 in only 4.2, then completing his maiden half-century at this level from just 26 balls. He spanked 11 fours and 2 sixes in a knock that will please the England team management to no end. Alex Hales made 20 off 19 including a six and four before giving Munro a catch off Santner. The score was 82 off 8.2 overs and England were well on their way by this time.

Ish Sodhi picked up the wickets of Roy and Morgan (0) off successive deliveries with the score on 110, however, Buttler (32*) and Joe Root (27*) ensured no further damage. The wicketkeeper batsman’s knock included 2 fours and 3 sixes in the 17 balls he faced while Root’s 22-ball stay featured 3 fours. After an embarrassing show in the 2015 World Cup, the ECB should be mighty impressed by the manner in which England have progressed in white-ball cricket. After losing the opening game against West Indies, the team has made a terrific comeback to go through to the final.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand – 153/8 in 20 overs (C Munro 46; B Stokes 3/26)

England – 159/3 in 17.1 overs (J Roy 78; I Sodhi 2/42)

Player of the Match: Jason Roy (England)

How did Twitter react to the game? – Twitter Reactions: England script a comfortable victory to enter the final