New Zealand ended England’s hopes at the Men’s T20 World Cup with a dramatic semi-final victory in Abu Dhabi.
England looked on course for Sunday’s final until an assault from Jimmy Neesham swung the game in New Zealand’s favour in a thrilling finale.
Neesham smashed three sixes, each a body blow to England’s hopes, as the Black Caps’ pursuit of 167 was given life.
The all-rounder was caught for 27 from 11 balls in the 18th over but, with 20 needed from 12 balls, opener Daryl Mitchell took on the attack.
He hit Chris Woakes for two sixes, finishing 72 not out from 47 balls as New Zealand won by five wickets with an over to spare.
England cantered through the group stage with four comprehensive wins but their quest to become the first team to hold both the men’s 50-overs and T20 World Cups is now over.
New Zealand, beaten in incredible fashion when the sides met in the 2019 World Cup final, will face Australia or Pakistan – who meet on Thursday – in Dubai on Sunday.
The win may not avenge England’s victory on that famous day at Lord’s in 2019 – it is unlikely anything could – but, as many of the same New Zealand players celebrated Mitchell hitting the winning runs, that defeat may not hurt quite as much now.
As with that game, there were dramatic swings in this one and England looked strong favourites through much of the New Zealand chase.
Woakes looked to have dealt key blows in the opening three overs when he had the dangerous Martin Guptill caught off a leading edge for four and captain Kane Williamson taken at short fine leg for five. New Zealand were 13-2.
Even as Mitchell and Devon Conway combined for a stand of 82, it felt like England were in control, with the required run-rate climbing.
But Neesham, who batted in that 2019 super-over loss, played the crucial, match-winning hand this time.
With 57 needed from 24 balls he swiped Chris Jordan for two leg-side sixes. As 23 runs came from that over, England’s bowling began to buckle.
Left-handed Neesham followed that by thrashing Adil Rashid high and long over mid-wicket in the following over and, from nowhere, New Zealand were cantering towards victory.
Neesham was caught at extra cover off the final ball of the 18th to give England a glimmer of hope, but when Woakes faltered Mitchell pounced. Two more leg-side sixes were hit and New Zealand had their dramatic success. (Courtesy BBC)
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