HAMILTON: England captain Eoin Morgan plays a shot as New Zealand wicket-keeper Tim Seifert looks on during the Tri-Series Twenty20 International at Seddon Park on Sunday.—AFP
HAMILTON: England captain Eoin Morgan plays a shot as New Zealand wicket-keeper Tim Seifert looks on during the Tri-Series Twenty20 International at Seddon Park on Sunday.—AFP

HAMILTON: New Zealand advanced to the final of the Trans-Tasman Twenty20 triangular series against Australia despite suffering a two-run loss to England at Seddon Park on Sunday.

Captain Eoin Morgan returned from injury to help England avoid their fourth-straight loss in the series, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 46 balls and sharing a partnership of 93 with Dawid Malan (53) in England’s innings of 194-7.

Colin Munro crunched seven sixes in a 21-ball 57 and a 78-run opening partnership with Martin Guptill (62) which seemed to set up New Zealand for a successful run chase.

But outstanding bowling near the death by Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan and Tom Curran saw England hold New Zealand to 192-4 in its 20 overs.

Unfortunately for England, New Zealand only needed to reach 175 to ensure they qualified for the final on run rate as both teams finished the series with one win.

“It feels not that good to be honest,” Morgan said. “We obviously don’t go through to the final, which is disappointing.

“174 was the target we were trying to defend. We created chances at stages but given the start they got off to with Colin Munro and Martin Guptill in that sort of form...we weren’t able to do it.

“I thought we fought really well but it was sort of the story of our trip: good enough to win the game but not good enough to go through to the final.”

After New Zealand’s rollicking start, England spinners Rashid and Liam Dawson quietened the pace through the middle of the innings.

New Zealand were 77 without loss after six overs when Rashid came on and quickly claimed Munro’s wicket.

Seven overs later, when Rashid was bowled out and Dawson had claimed the prized wicket of Kane Williamson, New Zealand were 108 for two with Guptill and Chapman primed to finish the innings off.

“At the top of the order, Colin Munro was brilliant,” said Williamson, who also played tribute to the role played by Guptill, a century-maker gainst Australia two days ago.

“Martin played so well through that middle period to suck it up after whacking it to all parts a few days ago, to do what the team required to get as close as we could to that total.”

Guptill and Chapman added 64 runs in 5.2 overs and ensured New Zealand were within sight of the final before Guptill was bowled by Malan with his side 164 for three.

Chapman, who was bowled by Chris Jordan in the penultimate over for 32 but then recalled as the bowler had overstepped, and Colin de Grandhomme, however, were unable to score the 12 runs needed from the final over from Curran.

Morgan, who had missed England’s last two games in the series due to a groin strain, proved he had not lost any form while sitting on the sidelines with a composed innings.

The lefthander was on 37 when Malan departed with the score on 117 for three and then scored 40 of his side’s next 48 runs but was starved of the strike in the final two overs.

Scoreboard

ENGLAND:

J. Roy c Williamson b Boult 21
A. Hales c Williamson b Southee 1
D. Malan c Chapman b de Grandhomme 53
E. Morgan not out 80
J. Buttler st Seifert b Sodhi 2
S. Billings b Boult 6
D. Willey c Guptill b Southee 0
L. Dawson c Guptill b Boult 10
C. Jordan not out 6

EXTRAS (W-4, NB-1) 5

TOTAL (for seven wkts, 20 overs) 194

DID NOT BAT: A. Rashid, T. Curran.

FALL OF WKTS: 1-22, 2-24 3-117, 4-123, 5-165, 6-176, 7-187.

BOWLING: Boult 4-0-50-3, Santner 2-0-32-0 (3w), Southee 4-0-22-2 (1w), de Grandhomme 4-0-32-1, Williamson 1-0-16-0, Sodhi 4-0-31-1 (1nb), Munro 1-0-11-0.

NEW ZEALAND:

M. Guptill b Malan 62
C. Munro c Willey b Rashid 57
K. Williamson b Dawson 8
M. Chapman not out 37
R. Taylor c Morgan b Curran 7
C. de Grandhomme not out 7

EXTRAS (B-2, LB-8, W-2, NB-2) 14

TOTAL (for four wkts, 20 overs) 192

FALL OF WKTS: 1-78, 2-100, 3-164, 4-173.

DID NOT BAT: T. Seifert, M. Santner, T. Southee, I. Sodhi, T. Boult Bowling: Willey 3-0-33-0 (1w), Curran 3-0-32-1, Jordan 4-0-42-0 (1w, 2nb), Rashid 4-0-22-1, Dawson 4-0-27-1, Malan 2-0-27-1.

RESULT: England won by two runs.

UMPIRES: Chris Brown (New Zealand) and Paul Wilson (Australia).

TV UMPIRE: Shaun Haig (New Zealand).

MATCH REFEREE: Javagal Srinath (India).

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...