Luke Wright pilots England to victory

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from Pallekele

England stayed afloat in the World Cup Twenty20 by beating New Zealand by 6 wickets at the Pallekele Stadium, yesterday. In reply to New Zealand’s 148 for 6 in 20 England made 149 for 4 in 18.5 overs.

The reigning champions victory was made possible by a blistering innings of 76 in 43 balls from Luke Wright. He punished the Kiwi bowlers hitting 5 huge sixes and 5 fours. He was involved in a third wicket stand of 89 runs in 60 balls with Eoin Morgan. Wright was the man of the match.

Morgan was out at 127 caught beautifully by Doug Bracewell at mid wicket off Kyle Mills for 30 in 31 balls with a four and a six.

Kieswetter out

When England began their chase, they lost Craig Kieswetter for 4 at 21 bowled by Daniel Vettori and next out was Alex Hales bowled by Nathan McCullum for22 in 15 balls with 3 fours.

England bowled tight and the Kiwi batsmen were finding runs hard to get. England opened with the left arm spin of Danny Briggs. Martil Guptil was first out LBW to Finn for 5 with the score on 7.

Brendon McCullum from whom much was expected to keep New Zealand alive perished at 20 for 10 caught by Luke Wight off a top edge off Finn and then Rob Nicol went for 11 caught by Jonny Bairstow at mid wicket off Graeme Swann at 42 and at 67 Kane Williamson went caught behind by Craig Kieswetter off Briggs for 17 in 11.4 overs and the Kiwis were on the skids. Skipper Ross Taylor and James Franklin provided the best batting putting on 40 for the 5th wicket in 28 balls.Both made use of the scoring opportunities that came their way.

Taylor out

Taylor attempting to loft Finn over mid wicket fell short and Alex Hales took the catch.He had two fours in his 23-ball knock.

Left hander James Franklin played the best innings for the Kiwis making a half century in 33 balls with 4 fours and two sixes before being run out. Nathan McCullum was unbeaten on 16 with two hits over the ropes.

New Zealand finally made 148 for six in 20 which was the lowest total by a side bating first in Pallekele.

Although Steven Finn bowled best for figures of 3 for 16 in four, he was again guilty of knocking over the bails while delivering twice.

The first time Brendon McCullum hit him for two and off another delivery Franklin hit him four 4,but the umpires signaled ‘dead balls’. Had the runs been allowed the New Zealand score would have been 154.

When will he or England learn?

It was a must win game for either the reigning champions England or New Zealand to stay breathing. The team losing will have to bid adieu.

In this Group 1 – New Zealand lost to Sri Lanka and England to West Indies.

England made two changes bringing in Danny Briggs a left arm spinner and Tim Bresnan and benching Jade Dernbach and Samit Patel. New Zealand gave Doug Bracewell a game and cooled Jacob Oram. Pallekele, Saturday.