England’s Dominant Win Over New Zealand in T20 World Cup
England completed a flawless ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 group stage with a commanding 8-wicket victory over New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The clinical performance saw them chase down NZ’s 145/8 with 27 balls to spare, reinforcing their status as tournament favorites.
Bowling Brilliance Restricts NZ
Opting to bowl first, England’s attack dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup. Chris Woakes (3/23) led the charge, while Adil Rashid’s economical 1/20 tightened the screws. Only Glenn Phillips (42 off 36) offered resistance as NZ limped to 145/8.
Key Stats:
– NZ’s run rate: 7.25 (lowest vs. England in 2024)
– England pacers took 5 wickets, spinners conceded just 6.5 RPO
Buttler & Hales Power Chase
Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 73 (47 balls) and Alex Hales’ 52 (40) dismantled NZ’s bowling. The openers raced to 108 in 12 overs, leaving little for the middle order to do.
Turning Point:
– Buttler’s back-to-back sixes off Lockie Ferguson in the 10th over sealed the game early.
Super 12s Outlook
England’s Strengths:
✅ Batting depth (Buttler, Hales, Livingstone)
✅ Versatile bowling (Woakes, Rashid, Wood)
New Zealand’s Concerns:
❌ Fragile middle order
❌ Death bowling woes (Boult & Ferguson 0/68 combined)
What’s Next?
- England face Australia next in a high-stakes Super 12 clash.
- New Zealand must regroup vs. Sri Lanka to avoid early exit risks.
Final Thought
With three straight wins, England look unstoppable. Can NZ bounce back? Follow live updates on NextMinuteNews!
