NZ outplayed by England
LONDON: Host England has become the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy semifinals after hammering New Zealand by 87 runs in Cardiff yesterday.
Eoin Morgan’s players mastered tricky conditions to reinforce their credentials as tournament favourites in an excellent team performance.
Joe Root topscored with an impressive 64 — his 32nd fifty in 85 ODIs — as England was dismissed for 310 after losing the toss.
In reply, New Zealand struggled to overcome the firstover loss of Luke Ronchi for a golden duck and, although Kane Williamson struck an assured 87, his teammates were picked off by England’s impressive attack.
Williamson afterwards said England stepped up with both bat and ball.
‘‘They had a number of contributions which allowed them to get what I think was an abovepar score.
‘‘England outplayed us in all areas today — credit to them for the way they went about their business, especially with ball in hand.’’
The Kiwis were fined for maintaining a slow overrate during their defeat, ruled two overs short of the target when time allowances were considered by match referee Andy Pycroft.
Williamson accepted a fine of 40% of his match fee; his players received a fine of 20%.
If there is a second minor overrate infringement, Williamson will be suspended for one match.
Liam Plunkett was the pick of the England bowlers, taking four wickets as New Zealand subsided to 223 all out in the 45th over.
After the dangerous Martin Guptill departed, edging Stokes to Root for 27, New Zealand’s hopes rested firmly on Williamson, who had scored a century in the abandoned opener against Australia.
The No 3 accumulated a solid fifty from 66 balls without ever dominating and was undone by a snorter from Mark Wood which bounced off his gloves to the keeper.
With Ross Taylor departing soon after for 39, and the run rate climbing further, New Zealand’s reply subsided as England closed in on a comfortable victory.
The result means England is the first team to qualify for the semifinals. — NZN