England Back On Wright Track For Title Defence

• ICC World T20 – Super Eights – England vs NZ

Luke Wright and Steven Finn starred in a much-improved England performance as they beat New Zealand by six wickets to put the defence of their Twenty20 crown back on track in their ICC World T20 Super Eight clash at Pallekele on Saturday.
The win however did not ensure their progress to the semi-final and Stuart Broad’s team will need to beat hosts Sri Lanka whom they meet on Monday if they are to book a trip back to Colombo for the semi-finals.
Finn took three for 16 and then Wright (76) engineered a well-drilled chase – achieved with seven balls to spare – meaning England have at least given themselves a second chance after their defeat against West Indies at this same venue two days ago.
Finn took two with the new ball, including danger man Brendon McCullum, and then returned in the 17th over to see off another of the Kiwis’ best hitters Ross Taylor.
New Zealand had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss but were immediately pegged with the loss of two quick wickets.
Finn struck with the third ball of his first over when he pinned Martin Guptill in front with a swinging yorker that had lbw written all over it. Finn struck again in his second over with the prized wicket of McCullum who miscued his stroke and only succeeded in edging a skier straight to Wright at deep third-man.
Graeme Swann then got into the act and had Rob Nicol mistiming a slog-sweep into the hands of deep midwicket.
Kane Williamson battled valiantly for 17 off 23 balls but just as he seemed to be settling down he edged Danny Briggs to keeper Kieswetter.
At 67 for four in the 12th over the Kiwis were way behind the pace and needed to up the tempo.
Skipper Ross Taylor then combined with Franklin in a crucial 40-run stand for the fifth wicket before Finn returned to account for Taylor (23) who was caught at mid wicket as he attempted to increase the scoring rate.
At 107 for 5 in the 17th over New Zealand was still woefully short of a competitive total but Franklin and Nathan McCullum added 47 off the last 20 balls to take the Kiwis to a par score of 148. Franklin made exactly 50 off 33 balls with 2 sixes and 4 fours before he was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings.
The New Zealand total looked a little better when Craig Kieswetter fell early in England’s innings – bowled by Daniel Vettori after making just four off 14 balls.
They slipped to 38 for 2 when Alex Hales who had taken 16 off Tim Southee’s first over went on the charge to McCullum and missed an off-break, which crashed into his stumps.
Wright was then joined by Morgan, and the third-wicket pair barely put a foot wrong in a stand of 89 in 10 overs.
On a pitch favouring spin, they allowed New Zealand’s frontline slow bowlers to concede only 42 runs in eight overs – but made sure they took toll of pace.
The run rate never spiralled thanks to fine placement, by Morgan in particular in his near run-a-ball 30, and at least one successful big shot in each over.
Wright drove especially well – and when the hapless Southee returned for his second spell, Wright welcomed him with two sixes – one to bring up the hundred and a second high over wide long-on to reach his half century.
Morgan eventually fell – brilliantly caught at long on by a diving Doug Bracewell off Kyle Mills – and Wright followed him, holing out to cover in the penultimate over.
But there was no longer any doubt about an outcome which ensures England will defend their only ICC title to date with at least a degree of honour.