New Zealand Vs England: Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks pull off last-over Super 8s chase
In a dramatic new zealand vs england Super 8s encounter in Colombo, Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks produced an unbroken 44 to chase 160 and secure a four-wicket victory with three balls to spare, a result that leaves New Zealand's semi-final qualification in the balance.
Ahmed and Jacks finish 44-run stand to reach target of 160 with three balls remaining
Rehan Ahmed finished 19 not out off seven balls and Will Jacks 32 not out off 18 as the pair smashed England to 161-6 in 19. 3 overs chasing 160. The unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 44 came from 16 deliveries and produced the decisive moment when a delivery hit Jacks' helmet and ran away for four, taking England over the line with three balls to spare.
New Zealand Vs England chase swung by 18th and 19th overs
The chase turned when Ahmed and Jacks attacked the 18th over, bowled by Glenn Phillips, for 22 runs. Ahmed then dominated Mitchell Santner's 19th over for 16, and Jacks hit the winning runs off Matt Henry halfway through the 20th. England had required 42 from three overs before the pair's assault; at one point earlier New Zealand had England 2 for 2, 58 for 4 and 117 for 6.
Spin-heavy England bowling restricted New Zealand to 159-7
New Zealand were 159-7 from 20 overs after electing to bat. Glenn Phillips made 39 off 28 balls and Tim Seifert 35 off 25. England's spin trio struck: Will Jacks 2-23, Adil Rashid 2-28 and Rehan Ahmed 2-28, with Liam Dawson returning 1-32. England bowled a record 16 overs of spin during the match.
Rehan Ahmed's debut impact and individual figures highlighted
Ahmed was notable for his match double: he took a wicket with his first World Cup delivery after being drafted into his first match of the tournament, finishing with bowling figures of 2-28 and then contributing 19 off seven with the bat, including two crucial sixes. Those contributions were called "clutch" in post-match commentary on his performance.
England's tournament position, Buttler's form and semi-final schedule
England were already through to the knockout stages after victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and the win in Colombo means they will finish top of Group 2 in the Super 8s. England are set to play in the second semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday March 5, most likely against India or West Indies, though exactly who they will face in the last four is to be confirmed. Jos Buttler registered a two-ball duck in this match, marking his fifth single-figure return in a row, a run of form captain Harry Brook described as a rut while urging belief in Buttler's capabilities.
New Zealand's semi-final hopes hinge on Pakistan v Sri Lanka in Pallekele
New Zealand's defeat opens the door for Pakistan, who must beat Sri Lanka on Saturday in Pallekele and rely on a net run-rate swing to overhaul the Black Caps in Group 2. If Pakistan do not win by a big enough margin on Saturday, New Zealand will still feature in the first semi-final on Wednesday; the margin required to change that was described as a substantial net run-rate swing.
Key moments and fielding that shaped the match
Earlier in England's innings Tom Banton top-scored with 33 off 24 balls. Harry Brook made 26 off 24, including a flick for six that broke an LED screen before he holed out off Glenn Phillips. Jacob Bethell made 21 off 16 and was later removed at deep midwicket on a brilliant diving catch by Phillips. The match also featured an amusing moment when New Zealand's national anthem was played at warp-speed before the game, which the players found entertaining.
The result completes a tight Super 8s day: England advance as pool winners, New Zealand are left nervously watching the Pakistan v Sri Lanka fixture, and the shape of the semi-finals will become clearer after Saturday's match in Pallekele.
