Jonny Bairstow hammered his second consecutive World Cup century as England defeated New Zealand by 119 runs to storm into the semifinals of the World Cup.
At the picturesque Riverside ground on Tuesday, Bairstow’s gritty knock of 106 guided England to 305 for eight. And, chasing a rather tricky total, two crucial run-outs of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, cost the Kiwis, who folded up for 186 in 45 overs.
Despite the defeat, New Zealand stands close of reaching the semifinals. However, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the last-four dimmed further. It will now have to beat Bangladesh with a heavy margin.
On a surface that had very little for the bowlers, New Zealand had a messy beginning as it lost openers Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls for just 14 runs.
Though Williamson and Taylor tried steadying the innings, a freak run out in the 15th over crashed Williamson’s dreams, and also that of New Zealand’s. Mark Wood got a slight touch on Ross Taylor’s drive in his follow-through, and Williamson, who backed up too far at the non-striker’s end, had to depart. In the next over, Taylor too was run out by Adil Rashid.
Those two dismissals tilted the game England’s way, even though Tom Latham played a knock of 57. It turned out to be a memorable day for local boy Mark Wood, who scalped three wickets for 34.
Earlier, the burly Bairstow started in a whirlwind fashion, helping England reach the 100-run mark in the 15th over, the host looked poised for a mammoth total.
England stayed on course and was 194 for one at the 30th over mark. But the Kiwi bowlers found back their rhythm to check the opposition.
Bairstow and his in-form opening partner, Jason Roy, put together 123 runs. While Bairstow focused on keeping the scoreboard ticking, Roy played his shots and crafted his 61-ball 60 with eight boundaries
But with Bairstow around, England could dream on. He stitched a 69-run partnership with Joe Root, before Trent Boult removed the latter.
Bairstow too was cleaned up soon by Matt Henry — who had come in for injured Lockie Ferguson. England slipped further as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
