England win battle, but Munro ensures NZ win the war

Poms claim final round-robin match by 2 runs NZ vs England Scoreboard

HAMILTON, New Zealand, Feb 18, (AFP): An aggressive Colin Munro belted New Zealand into the Twenty20 Triseries final against Australia despite England claiming their final round-robin match by two runs in Hamilton on Sunday.

Munro plundered the England attack at the top of the New Zealand innings, equalling the sixth-fastest half-century of all time in cricket’s shortest form as he raced past 50 in just 18 deliveries.

England, on the back of an unbeaten 80 by returning captain Eoin Morgan, posted 194 for seven after being sent into bat.

New Zealand, with Martin Guptill adding 62 and Hong Williamson, who also played tribute to the role played by Guptill, a century-maker gainst Australia two days ago.

“Martin played so well through that middle period to suck it up after whacking it to all parts a few days ago, to do what the team required to get as close as we could to that total.”

Dawson missed a caught-and-bowled chance from Guptill on 25, who then lashed out to reach 62 off 47 balls before he was dismissed in the 17th over.

England skipper Morgan, who missed their last two matches because of a groin strain, hit six sixes and four fours in a crucial innings that ensured his side posted a competitive score.

He went to the middle in the fourth over when England were two for 24 and featured in a 93-run, nine-over stand with Dawid Malan who made 53 — his fourth half-century in five international Twenty20 innings.

Opener Jason Roy made a flying start to the innings with 21 off 13 balls, while Dawson and David Willey with 10 each were the only other players to reach double figures.

For New Zealand, Trent Boult took three wickets at an expensive 50 runs while Tim Southee was economical with two for 22.

India’s bowler Hardik Pandya (right), is watched by South Africa’s batsman Farhaan Behardien as he delivers the ball during the first T20I cricket match between South Africa and India at The Wanderers Cricket Stadium

in Johannesburg on Feb 18. (AFP)

HAMILTON, New Zealand, Feb 18, (AFP): Completed scoreboard in the Tri-series Twenty20 match between New Zealand and England on Sunday: J. Roy c Williamson b Boult ................................................. 21 A. Hales c Williamson b Southee ...... England’s Jason Roy plays a shot and is dismissed during the Twenty20 Tri Series international cricket match between New Zealand and England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Feb 18. (AFP)