Not only did England keep themselves alive in the semi-final race with a 20-run victory over New Zealand, Jos Buttler’s side are now also comfortably ahead of Australia to the semi-final spot.
It was skipper Jos Buttler who led from the front with the bat smashing 73 runs off 47 balls, with opening partner Alex Hales scoring 52 runs off 40 balls as England posted 179. A good collective bowling effort, especially in the last 5 overs, saw England win by 20 runs despite Glenn Phillips’ stunning knock of 62 from 36 balls.
This is a big morale-boosting victory for England, whose campaign had come under threat after a shock loss to Ireland.
England and Australia both now have 5 points in 4 matches, but England’s NRR of +0.547 is considerably better than Australia’s -0.304.
England take on Sri Lanka in their last group game while Australia meets Afghanistan. Both the teams are favorites to win, and then it will boil down to NRR. According to calculations, England have a 50-run head start over Australia. Further, England have the advantage here because Australia will play Afghanistan a day before the England-Sri Lanka game.
So England will know exactly the margin they need to win by if Australia go past their NRR with a bumper win over Afghanistan, or if Australia lose the game, or remain behind England’s NRR, then England would only need to win the match to seal a semis spot.
New Zealand, who suffered a loss today in Brisbane, also has 5 points in 4 matches. However, their astronomical NRR of +2.233 means that the Kiwis only need to win their last game – against Ireland – to seal a berth in the semi-final. If somehow, Ireland produces another major upset – having defeated England – and defeat New Zealand, then England and Australia will not have to worry about NRR and just win their last game.
Sri Lanka, who have 4 points in 4 matches and take on England next, are also in contention for a semi-final spot. For that they’d have to defeat England and hope either one of Australia or New Zealand lost their last group match.
Ireland have 3 points in 4 matches and a poor NRR of -1.544. They are only mathematically alive. Afghanistan, whose 2 matches have been washed out and have lost 2, are out of the semi-final race.
Here is the updated Group 1 points table after ENG vs NZ game:
In Group 2 also things are tight. South Africa, with 5 points in 3 matches and to face Netherlands next, are all but through to the semi-final.
India and Bangladesh play a crucial game tomorrow. Both have 4 points in 3 matches and a win will take them closer to semi-final while a loss will dent their chances significantly.
Zimbabwe have 3 points in 3 games and are also alive in the semi-final race. So are Pakistani, but only mathematically, as they have only 2 points in 3 matches and are dependant on other results to go their way.
Netherlands, with 0 points in 3 games, are eliminated from the semis race.
Here is the updated Group 2 points table after ENG vs NZ game:
