World T20 Champs Super 8s & KOs, Feb 21-March 8

[meninblue]

England have read the wicket well. The move to get in Rehan in place of Jamie is good considering the wicket. He too has got decent purchase. The problem was that the power play score was too much when spinners came with more fielders outside the inner circle. Still they took wickets, even the non-speciaist bowlers kept a check on runs scored.

[Arthur Crabtree]

NZ innings going nowhere.

[meninblue]

That one from Will turned quite well to get a bowled wicket. 2 wickets in 4 balls for England. NZ 6 down. Great stuff by spin bowlers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wonder if England can resist the temptation of going back to the pace bowlers...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks lke they can and Rehan picks up a wicket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only 62 off the last 9 overs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Apparently the least overs of spin in an England WCT20 before the 16 today was 11.4.

[meninblue]

NZ give England a target of 160 to win. Don't think dew will be much tonight. Ish Sodhi will definitely get turn. Even Mitchell Santner will turn on this. Unlike the England spinners, IMO NZ spinners will get more bounce as well. NZ have posted a score for which they have the bowling to defend this and the conditions are helpful for spin. Matt Henry and Lockie will also have pace to work upon. England too have a long batting lineup though - all of them can bat. However, if NZ can use all there 4 spin options well in rotation, this will be a good score. Couple of wickets in powerplay of out of form openers will serve the middle overs operators much well.

[meninblue]

Lovely seam movement for Matt Henry. Phil caught by Tim Seifert for 1. England 2/1.

[meninblue]

Excellent over for Matt and NZ. Eng 2/1.

[meninblue]

Jos out without scoring. First strike for Lockie. Well bowled. Eng 2/2. in 1.2 overs. The wicket offering similar pace and bounce to what Jofra got when he bowled.

[meninblue]

Some nice shots by Harry on both sides of the wicket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England not matching NZ's great start with the bat.

[meninblue]

Bck foot drive through the extra covers. What a shot by Jacob. Wonderful to watch, went all along the ground.

England 47/2 after power play.

NZ can now have some more fielders outside the circle. England have batting till 11, the required run rate is under 9. Facing spin will be tough here. NZ can still win this. Just can't be sure who has the advantage as of now. A very good match in progress.

[meninblue]

Eng lose couple more wickets. 58/4 in 6.4 overs. Tom Banton never looked convincing against spin in prior matches he has played in Asia. Sam Curran and Will Jacks will have to do much of the reamining work.

Rachin dismisses Jacob the same way he himself got out.