England fight back to beat New Zealand

BRISBANE. — Skipper Jos Buttler praised the character of his England side as they breathed new life into their ICC Men’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup yesterday, but it was curtains for Afghanistan.

Buttler played a key role with the bat in a crucial 20-run win over New Zealand at the Gabba, which propelled England into the top two of Group 1 with one round of matches left.

The Black Caps, last year’s beaten finalists, still top the group but they, England and Australia are all now on five points.

Hosts and holders Australia are third and in real danger because of their vastly inferior net run rate. Only the top two sides go through to the semi-finals.

New Zealand play Ireland and Australia face already eliminated Afghanistan on Friday as the fight for the last four goes down to the wire. England, who along with the hosts were the pre-tournament favourites, clash with Asian champions Sri Lanka the next day.

Buttler, who smashed 73 off 47 balls to lead England to 179-6 in Brisbane, said their clinical performance made up for a shock defeat earlier in the Super 12 stage to Ireland.

“Really proud of the guys tonight, to come out with freedom and express ourselves with our talent, I was really proud of the character we showed,” said the captain.

Buttler, who won the toss and chose to bat against a side who could have sealed a spot in the last four with victory, added: “We’re a really dangerous team, we’ve got match-winners throughout.

“Having not played our best (until now), we were desperate to show that today.”

Buttler said it was to England’s advantage that they play the day after Australia in the fight for a semifinal spot. “There’s a bit of a benefit playing that last game to know exactly what’s required of us. We’re going to expect a really tough game against Sri Lanka. “But we’ll go to Sydney full of confidence,” Buttler added.

Glenn Phillips led the Black Caps fightback in their reply, but once he fell for 62, the New Zealand challenge dissolved. — AFP