A fitting end to a thrilling World Cup
Everyone is in tears out there. Roy is consoled by Morgan, he had misfielded one earlier in the over, but got the decisive throw in. Stokes, the most stoic man is brought to tears. What a monumental moment this is for England. And a moment of pure joy for Eoin Morgan. He saw his team bow out of the 2015 WC very meekly and decided to change the approach drastically. They went ultra-attacking and it delivered them a World Cup. But spare a thought for New Zealand. And Kane Williamson. He almost single-handedly won them the World Cup, but it was not to be.
The Kiwi team fought tooth and nail for everything in the final parts of the World Cup. They put on 241 on the board and in a slowing pitch was supposed to be enough. They defended that much against India, and were up against another explosive line-up in England. They got the early wickets, the top four fell early but what a partnership that was from Stokes and Buttler. They put more than a 100 runs together, and the game looked to be in the bag.
Buttler then decided to go for it, holed out and then a couple more wickets left Stokes with 15 to get off the final over. He played two dots, slog swept one for six, and then dived in on a second run to deflect it off the bat to the boundary for the most bizarre six we will see. He then went for two on each of the final two balls, and lost partners on the second run each time to tie the match.
It then came down to the super over, where it was the Buttler and Stokes show again as they clobbered 15 runs off Boult. The Kiwis were in the act too, taking 15 runs of Archer too but they had hit lesser boundaries, and a last ball finish in the super over got them a maiden World Cup victory.
NZ 15/1 (1 over)
Archer with the ball for England. He will be a hero if he wins the final for them after being a late addition to the squad. It is also only his 15th ODI, can he pull this off? The Kiwis will send their most explosive batsmen. If this is a tie, England will win because they have hit more boundaries- 24 to NZ's 16. England are out there, waiting for the Kiwi batsmen to come out. Who will it be? Martin Guptill it will be with Jimmy Neesham. Big gamble with Guptill but he is as explosive as anyone.
Ball 1 Archer to Neesham, WIDE, harsh call, very harsh call. Leg cutter bowled inside the tramline, Dharmasena stretches his arms and Jofra is unhappy
Ball 1 Archer to Neesham, 2 runs, yorker just outside off, dug out to long off, they run well for two
Ball 2 Archer to Neesham, SIX, holy moses what a shot! Half volley from round the wicket, horror delivery and it is clubbed over deep square leg
Ball 3 Archer to Neesham, 2 runs, gets it off the inside edge to deep mid wicket, the fielder fumbles and it allows an easy two
Ball 4 Archer to Neesham, 2 runs, yorker dug out to deep mid wicket, the throw comes to the wrong end. Buttler was screaming at the fielder to throw to him
Ball 5 Archer to Neesham, 1 run, goes short, Jimmy misses the pull, gets an inside edge onto pad, and they run through. Jofra sensibly decides not to risk the throw, might have given overthrows
Ball 6 Archer to Guptill, OUT, 1 run, England win! England have won the World Cup, England are champions at home! Wow, what a game. Yorker on leg, Martin dug it out somehow to deep mid wicket, they had to go for the double, the throw came at Buttler's end, he was well ahead of the stumps, collects and stretches himself to catch him well short
Guptill run-out(Roy/Buttler) 1(1)
Eng 15/0 (1 over)
Super over to decide the final. Who could have asked for more? Buttler and Stokes are the two batsmen who will start for England. Boult it will be with the ball, was there anyone else really? Stokes will take strike
Ball 1 Boult to Stokes, 3 runs, starts full outside off, he gets an outside edge and they pushed for three, Ben runs for his life there
Ball 2 Boult to Buttler, 1 run, half volley on leg stump, he clears the front leg and slogs to deep square leg
Ball 3 Boult to Stokes, FOUR, shot, what a shot! Full ball, gets down low and sweeps, sweeps Boult into the deep mid wicket fence. Can you imagine the audacity?
Ball 4 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, full toss wide of off, Ben had backed away can only hit to cover point
Archer is warming up, he will surely bowl the supoer over
Ball 5 Boult to Buttler, 2 runs, full ball wide of off, dug out to extra cover, and the man is very deep, takes two
Ball 6 Boult to Buttler, FOUR, what a finish! Low full toss and he has flicked this very well, past deep mid wicket. Kiwis need 16!
Wow, what a match this is!
Lot of discussions in both camps, who will bat for England- Buttler has to be one of them for sure. New Zealand will bat with Colin de Grandhomme for sure too. Let's see what happens now
Eng 241 (50 overs)
Boult to bowl the last over and he will want to make amends for that six. Adil Rashid at no.10
49.1 Boult to Stokes, DOT, yorker played to extra cover but he does not risk the run
49.2 Boult to Stokes, DOT, another yorker and played to extra cover again
49.3 Boult to Stokes, SIX, half volley outside off, Ben shuffles across and slog sweeps this straight over deep mid wicket
49.4 Boult to Stokes, 6 runs, bizarre, very bizarre! Ben pulled this to deep mid wicket, had to get back for two, the throw came to the striker's end, it hit the outstretched bat of Ben and ran away to the third man fence. Nothing he could do about it, apologizes immediately
49.5 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, OUT on his haunches again as he drives to long off, had to come back and Rashid is comfortably out
Rashid run-out(Santner/Boult) 0(0)
Mark Wood is the last man in, only to run, has to run for his life here
49.6 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, OUT, oh brilliant, this is brilliant! Full toss and he pushed to long on, Wood just cannot make it in, they had to go for the second there
Wood run-out 0(0)
We have a super over folks!
Eng 227/8 (49 overs)
England need 24 off the last 2 overs, and we are in for a thrilling finish
48.1 Neesham to Plunkett, 1 run, slower ball as expected, pulled to deep mid wicket
48.2 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, low full toss and he is on all fours as he hits this to deep square leg
48.3 Neesham to Plunkett, OUT, another one down! Slower length ball, Liam swings hard, but not hard enough, taken at long off
Plunkett c Boult b Neesham 10(10)
Jofra Archerwalks in at no.9
48.4 Neesham to Stokes, SIX, oh Boult what have you done? Ben slogged this to deep mid wicket, Boult took it, did not realize he was on the edge, by the time he threw it back, he had already stepped on the ropes. Guptill took the relay catch but signalled six straight away
48.5 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, drives it down to long on
48.6 Neesham to Archer, OUT, second in the over! Slow ball, completely deceived Jofra who went for an ugly hoick
Archer b Neesham 0(1)
Eng 218/6 (48 overs)
47.1 Boult to Stokes, FOUR, brilliant start! Goes full, Ben was sat back expecting, whips it powerfully and into the deep mid wicket fence
47.2 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, low full toss now, flicked to deep backward square, the fielder is quick enough to keep them to one
47.3 Boult to Plunkett, 2 runs, misses the yorker now, Liam flicks well, wide of long on, and takes two
47.4 Boult to Plunkett, DOT, surprises him with a short ball and he misses the pull
47.5 Boult to Plunkett, 2 runs, low full toss and it is powered down the ground, not timed well enough, long on takes care of it
47.6 Boult to Plunkett, 1 run.
Eng 208/6 (47 overs)
Liam Plunkett walks in ahead of Adil Rashid.
46.2 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, length outside off, played to mid off
46.3 Ferguson to Plunkett, DOT, superb leg cutter, beats the no.8 all ends up
46.4 Ferguson to Plunkett, DOT, full and flicked to mid wicket
46.5 Ferguson to Plunkett, FOUR, what a shot! Full and angling in, Liam flicks it, in the air and past mid wicket too
46.6 Ferguson to Plunkett, DOT.
Eng 203/6 (46.1 overs)
46.1 Ferguson to Woakes, OUT, gone! He had to go for the big shot, backs away and looks to slog, gets a top edge which goes high, Latham takes it after some difficulty
Woakes c Latham b Ferguson 2(4)
Eng 203/5 (46 overs)
Chris Woakes is the new man in and he has to stick around with Stokes to help them over the line.
45.1 Neesham to Woakes, DOT, length outside off, played to point
45.2 Neesham to Woakes, 1 run, gets off strike with a drive to long on
45.3 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, round the wicket and angled in full, Ben misses the hoick, is struck on the pad but going down leg easily
45.4 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, short and wide, would have been wided if he had left it alone
45.5 Neesham to Woakes, 1 run, wide yorker, played with an open face to third man
45.6 Neesham to Stokes, FOUR, full and whipped, whipped very well, to deep mid wicket
Eng 196/5 (44.5 overs)
44.1 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, length ball turned to square leg
44.2 Ferguson to Buttler, FOUR, low full toss and he drives this off the toe end, gets it over a leaping short cover
44.3 Ferguson to Buttler, 2 runs, backs away and slices the full ball, third man has done very well to save two
44.4 Ferguson to Buttler, DOT, short and wide, he cannot get it away
44.5 Ferguson to Buttler, OUT, oh no Jos what have you done? What have you done, with 40-odd needed. Backs away and slices the full ball again, this time much squarer, there was no need for that shot, sweeper comes in and takes a good, low diving catch
Buttler c sub (Southee) b Ferguson 59(60)
Eng 189/4 (44 overs)
Boult is back again. Stokes is tended to by the physio, has some cramps I guess.
43.1 Boult to Buttler, DOT, half volley on off, driven to short cover
43.2 Boult to Buttler, FOUR, shot! Full and wide, he goes full bloodied on the drive, and gets it over short cover. 50 for Jos, superb innings this
43.3 Boult to Buttler, DOT, short and wide, this time he cannot cut it away
43.4 Boult to Buttler, 1 run, brilliant yorker on middle, dug out to mid off
43.5 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, low full toss driven to long on and that is 50 for Ben too! What an innings under pressure
43.6 Boult to Buttler, DOT.
Eng 183/4 (43 overs)
42.1 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, punches to mid off and rushes to the other end, had to because the throw would have got him
42.2 Ferguson to Buttler, 1 run, another chance but this time Jos was well in. Punched down the ground, and is sent back by his partner
42.3 Ferguson to Stokes, DOT, short ball and the crowd demand a wide. Given one for the over
42.4 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, yorker outside off, dug to mid off
42.5 Ferguson to Buttler, 2 runs, what a shot! Dances around in the crease, and scoops it past the keeper, fine leg does well to save two
42.6 Ferguson to Buttler, 1 run.
Eng 177/4 (42 overs)
Neesham is back again.
41.1 Neesham to Buttler, 1 run, short and wide, cut to deep cover
41.2 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, angles it in full from round the wicket, punched to mid wicket
41.3 Neesham to Stokes, 2 runs, full and flicked to deep backward square for a couple
41.4 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, superb yorker, if only it had more pace! Ben is down on the ground after digging that out, which means he cannot run despite it going to mid wicket
41.5 Neesham to Stokes, DOT.
41.6 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run.
Eng 173/4 (41 overs)
We are into the final powerplay and England look poised to win this. But the Kiwis are just 1 wicket away from exposing the lower middle order, so do not rule them out yet.
40.1 Ferguson to Stokes, DOT, yorker outside off, dug out back to the bowler
40.2 Ferguson to Stokes, DOT, back of a length outside off, punched to cover
40.3 Ferguson to Stokes, DOT, pacy length delivery on the stumps, punched back
40.4 Ferguson to Stokes, WIDE, wrong line, down leg she goes
40.4 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, played to deep square leg for one
40.5 Ferguson to Buttler, DOT, short and quick, he pulls out of the hook at the last instant
40.6 Ferguson to Buttler, 1 run.
Can it win them the match?
Eng 156/4 (38 overs)
Neesham is back too.
37.1 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, comes round the wicket and bowls length, defended towards cover
37.2 Neesham to Stokes, 2 runs, comes down looking to slog, instead gets an inside edge to fine leg for a couple
37.3 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, short and wide, flayed to deep cover
37.4 Neesham to Buttler, DOT, fullish outside off, chipped in the air, but on the bounce to mid on
37.5 Neesham to Buttler, FOUR, chipped again, but this time much straighter, and past the umpire for a great boundary
37.6 Neesham to Buttler, DOT.
Eng 149/4 (37 overs)
Ferguson is back.
36.1 Ferguson to Buttler, FOUR, what a start! Short and wide, Jos reaches out and cuts off the toe end past backward point
36.2 Ferguson to Buttler, 1 run, smartly gets off strike, albeit with an outside edge
36.3 Ferguson to Stokes, 1 run, comes round the wicket and bowls short, helped to fine leg
36.4 Ferguson to Buttler, DOT, full and driven to extra cover
36.5 Ferguson to Buttler, DOT, angling in on a length, defended on the back foot
36.6 Ferguson to Buttler, DOT.
Eng 143/4 (36 overs)
35.1 Henry to Stokes, DOT, angling in on a length from round the wicket, defended to mid wicket
35.2 Henry to Stokes, 1 run, length outside off, punched to deep cover
35.3 Henry to Buttler, DOT, off cutter, beats the inside edge and goes on the bounce to the keeper
35.4 Henry to Buttler, DOT, huge appeal, Matt is almost pleading with the umpire here. Not out he says, and Williamson goes for the DRS. Length ball angling in, pitched on middle, and looks to be sliding down leg. Yes, comfortably missing leg stump and Kiwis take a horror review again
35.5 Henry to Buttler, 1 run, length and tucked to deep mid wicket, wanted two but rightly sent back by Ben
35.6 Henry to Stokes, DOT, punches the length ball to short extra cover
Eng 141/4 (35 overs)
34.1 Santner to Buttler, 1 run, unnecessary single. Jos tucked this to square leg, Ben called him through and a better throw would have got him
34.2 Santner to Stokes, 1 run, cut to point now
34.3 Santner to Buttler, 1 run, full and played to long off
34.4 Santner to Stokes, DOT, full on middle, played to short fine leg
34.5 Santner to Stokes, 1 run, this time punches to deep mid wicket
34.6 Santner to Buttler, DOT.
Eng 137/4 (34 overs)
Matt Henry is back into the attack.
33.1 Henry to Stokes, 2 runs, charges down first ball and slices it away to wide third man, takes two
33.2 Henry to Stokes, 2 runs, he wants to get a move on now. Comes down and pulls the short ball to deep mid wicket for another couple
33.3Henry to Stokes, 2 runs, full and wide from round the wicket, played past backward point for yet another two
33.4 Henry to Stokes, 1 run, full and wide again, driven to deep extra cover. 50 partnership up!
33.5 Henry to Buttler, 1 run, guided down to third man
33.6 Henry to Stokes, DOT.
We take the last drinks break of the World Cup!
Eng 129/4 (33 overs)
32.1 Santner to Buttler, DOT, short and punched to cover
32.2 Santner to Buttler, WIDE, this is drifting down leg
32.2 Santner to Buttler, 1 run, short and punched to deep extra cover
32.3 Santner to Stokes, DOT, punched and short mid wicket leaps across the grass to stop it
32.4 Santner to Stokes, 1 run, worked away past that man at short mid wicket this time for one
32.5 Santner to Buttler, DOT, punched back to the bowler
32.6 Santner to Buttler, DOT.
There really is a Jofra tweet for every occasion!
Eng 119/4 (31 overs)
Finally we see Mitchell Santner into the attack.
30.1 Santner to Stokes, DOT, starts short and wide, he misses the cut
30.2 Santner to Stokes, DOT, punches back to Mitch
30.3 Santner to Stokes, 1 run, goes back and punches to long on now
30.4 Santner to Buttler, 1 run, darted in on a length, tucked to deep mid wicket
30.5 Santner to Stokes, 1 run, short and punched down to long on
30.6 Santner to Buttler, 1 run.
Eng 115/4 (30 overs)
Some respite from medium pace as Boult comes back.
29.1 Boult to Buttler, 1 run, starts with length on off, tucked to deep square leg
29.2 Boult to Stokes, 1 run, played to mid wicket this length ball
29.3 Boult to Buttler, DOT, angled across full outside off, driven towards mid off
29.4 Boult to Buttler, 1 run, punches the back of a length ball to deep extra cover
29.5 Boult to Stokes, DOT, length outside off, defended with an angled bat
29.6 Boult to Stokes, 1 run.
Eng 111/4 (29 overs)
28.1 de Grandhomme to Buttler, 1 run, wants to push this away but gets an inside edge to square leg
28.2 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, angled in from round the wicket, wants to turn it away Ben, gets a leading edge instead back down the pitch
28.3 de Grandhomme to Stokes, 1 run, guided down to third man
28.4 de Grandhomme to Buttler, DOT, length outside off, played to cover
28.5 de Grandhomme to Buttler, 2 runs, swings in a long way with the wind, beats the inside edge and the keeper, they take two
28.6 de Grandhomme to Buttler, 1 run.
Colin de Grandhomme has finished off with superb figures of 10-2-25-1
Eng 106/4 (28 overs)
27.1 Neesham to Buttler, 1 run, length on leg, he shuffles and tucks to square leg
27.2 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, short and wide, punched to short cover
27.3 Neesham to Stokes, FOUR, what a shot! Comes down, takes it on the half volley and absolutely clobbers it down the ground, both bowler and umpire had to take evasive action
27.4 Neesham to Stokes, WIDE, down leg now
27.4 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, comes down again and pulls the short one to backward square
27.5 Neesham to Buttler, DOT, length ball sticking to the pitch a bit, the drive goes a bit aerially to short cover
27.6 Neesham to Buttler, 1 run.
Eng 98/4 (27 overs)
26.1 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, length ball wide of off, left alone
26.2 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, punched to mid on this time
26.3 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, plays this with an open face to backward point
26.4 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, angled in and played to mid wicket
26.5 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, punched to extra cover
26.6 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, that's a maiden from a medium pacer at this stage!
Eng 98/4 (26 overs)
25.1 Neesham to Stokes, 2 runs, full and very wide, driven to deep extra cover
25.2 Neesham to Stokes, DOT,full on off now, punched to mid off
25.3 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, length ball angled across, he gets an inside edge which luckily rolls past the stumps
25.4 Neesham to Stokes, DOT, defended on the front foot solidly
25.5 Neesham to Stokes, 1 run, comes down and punches the short ball to deep cover
25.6 Neesham to Buttler, 2 runs.
Eng 93/4 (25 overs)
Jos Buttler in at no.6, and this is an unusual situation for him. Has to join hands to bat deep, he played superbly against Pakistan but fell short, would love to get over the line today.
24.1 de Grandhomme to Buttler, 1 run, walks down immediately and tucks to square leg
24.2 de Grandhomme to Stokes, 1 run, opens the face on this length ball from round the wicket to third man
24.3 de Grandhomme to Buttler, 1 run.
24.4 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, length ball angled in on middle, defended down the pitch
24.5 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT.
24.6 de Grandhomme to Stokes, 1 run.
Eng 86/4 (23.1 overs)
Change of bowling and it will be two medium pacers operating now. Jimmy Neesham in.
23.1 Neesham to Morgan, OUT, wicket first ball or is it? Starts short and wide, Eoin obliges with an aerial cut, does not get it too far, Lockie at deep cover ran in and took a good, low catch. They have gone upstairs the umpires, the soft signal is out, and there is absolutely no issues with it. He has taken it very cleanly
Morgan c Ferguson b Neesham 9(22)
Eng 86/3 (23 overs)
22.1 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, angles it in from round the wicket, and Ben defends
22.2 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, short and not too wide, cut to cover point
22.3 de Grandhomme to Stokes, FOUR, good shot this! Comes down, Colin bowled it short, he adjusts and pulls it wide of mid wicket
Tom Latham is upto the stumps now
22.4 de Grandhomme to Stokes,DOT, length outside off, defended down the wicket
22.5de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT, angled in on the stumps, pushed to mid on
22.6 de Grandhomme to Stokes, DOT.
Eng 82/3 (22 overs)
Ben Stokes joins his skipper at the crease now.
21.1 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, full toss right on the stumps, Eoin is surprised, plays it back to the bowler
21.2 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, back of a length now, he jumps up and defends
21.3 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, short ball, Eoin was late on it, ducks late and is on his backside
He was hit on his helmet there, Dharmasena comes up to the English skipper to ask if he is okay, or if he needed to be attended to by the physio. Says he is alright though
21.4 Ferguson to Morgan, 2 leg byes, down leg now, takes the pad on the glance to fine leg
21.5 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, slightly short, defended down the pitch well
21.6 Ferguson to Morgan, FOUR WIDES, way too short, the skipper ducks and Tom behind the stumps cannot get it even with a leap
21.6 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT.
Eng 71/3 (19.3 overs)
19.1 Ferguson to Morgan, 1 leg byes, back of a length on leg stump, tucked to fine leg
19.2 Ferguson to Bairstow, FOUR, good shot to break the shackles! Length outside off, he stood tall to get on top of the bounce, and used his fast hands to wristily punch it away past the covers
19.3 Ferguson to Bairstow, OUT, oh no England are in big trouble now! Another back of a length ball, he tries to rise with it and punch, gets an inside edge which disturbs the stumps. Kiwis right on top!
Bairstow b Ferguson 36(55)
Eng 66/2 (19 overs)
18.1 de Grandhomme to Morgan, 2 runs, comes down and lofts this wide half volley, and just gets this over a backtracking Kane at mid off
18.2 de Grandhomme to Morgan, DOT, length ball outside off, beats him on the attempted guide down
18.3 de Grandhomme to Morgan, DOT, plays this towards mid off
18.4 de Grandhomme to Morgan, DOT, short and wide, should be put away that, instead is cut to point
18.5 de Grandhomme to Morgan, 1 run, short ball and it is not threatening at his pace, pulled to deep backward square
18.6 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT.
Eng 63/2 (18 overs)
Skipper Eoin Morgan walks out at no.4
17.1 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, length outside off, played to backward point
17.2 Ferguson to Morgan, 2 runs, similar ball, this time he guides it past the man, runs well to get two
17.3 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, coming in after pitching outside leg, strikes him on the pad, but it was also going down leg
17.4 Ferguson to Morgan, DOT, the short ball ploy to Eoin has started. He was expecting it though, and ducks under it
17.5 Ferguson to Morgan, 1 run, short ball down leg now, helped to fine leg
17.6 Ferguson to Bairstow, DOT.
Eng 59/2 (16.3 overs)
16.1 de Grandhomme to Root, DOT, big shout but he simply walks back to his mark. Length ball which swung in and beat him on the flick, is hit on the pad but going down leg easily
16.2 de Grandhomme to Root, DOT, comes down and looks to hoick, not characteristic of him, misses it
16.3 de Grandhomme to Root, OUT, gone now! Have we ever seen Root flustered? Maybe the WC final pressure got to him. Chases this full and wide delivery, gets a big nick and it is a simple catch for the keeper
Root c Latham bde Grandhomme 7(30)
That will be drinks too
Eng 59/1 (16 overs)
Lockie Ferguson into the attack finally.
15.1 Ferguson to Bairstow, DOT, back of a length to start, coming in, cuts Jonny in half
15.2 Ferguson to Bairstow, WIDE, short ball and down leg too
15.2 Ferguson to Bairstow, DOT, back of a length again but he is in position this time to punch down the wicket
15.3 Ferguson to Bairstow, DOT, punches to extra cover this time
15.4 Ferguson to Bairstow, 1 run, full now outside off, driven to extra cover, they take a quick single after the Kiwi skipper does well to stop it
15.5 Ferguson to Root, DOT, short ball and Joe obliges with a pull, but there is a leg gully for it to be stopped
15.6 Ferguson to Root, 1 run.
Eng 56/1 (15 overs)
14.1 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, full and punched back to Colin
14.2 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, 1 run, this time punches wide of him, to long on
14.3 de Grandhomme to Root, 2 runs, full and wide, nicely driven on the front foot, to deep extra cover for two
14.4 de Grandhomme to Root, 1 run, length ball cramping for room, guided to short third man, who cannot gather it cleanly for a run-out chance, not that it would have mattered
14.5 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, 1 run, comes down to flick to mid wicket, who misfields and allows one
14.6 de Grandhomme to Root, DOT.
Eng 42/1 (13 overs)
12.1 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, 1 run, finally a run. Length on the body, tucked to deep square leg
12.2 de Grandhomme to Root, DOT, length outside off and punched to cover
12.3 de Grandhomme to Root, DOT, played back to the bowler
12.4 de Grandhomme to Root, 1 run, comes down and flicks this full one to deep mid wicket
12.5 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, length ball played to mid wicket
12.6 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, 1 run.
Eng 39/1 (12 overs)
11.1 Henry to Root, DOT, length outside off, played to gully
11.2 Henry to Root, DOT, length outside off again, pushed to mid off this time
11.3 Henry to Root, DOT, length on off stump, defended on the back foot
11.4 Henry to Root, DOT, punches this one down to mid on
11.5 Henry to Root, DOT, length ball keeping a bit low, looks to cut Joe and is beaten on the inside edge
11.6 Henry to Root, DOT, three maidens on the trot!
Eng 39/1 (11 overs)
End of first powerplay and this is an even contest so far. Colin de Grandhomme into the attack now.
10.1 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, starts with length outside off, he lets it go
10.2 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, length ball sticking to the pitch, Jonny chips it towards mid off
10.3 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT.
10.4de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, length outside off now, defended to point
10.5 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, plays this full ball to mid wicket
10.6 de Grandhomme to Bairstow, DOT, starts with a maiden, can you believe it?
Eng 39/1 (10 overs)
9.1 Henry to Root, DOT, length on middle stump line, tucked to mid wicket
9.2 Henry to Root, DOT, back of a length outside off, punched to cover point
9.3 Henry to Root, DOT, he is breathing fire Matt! Pitches it outside off and gets it to jag away off the seam and beats the hung out bat
9.4 Henry to Root, DOT, poor ball down leg, he glanced it Joe, but Tom was onto it in a flash
9.5 Henry to Root, DOT, back of a length and punched back
9.6 Henry to Root, DOT.
Eng 39/1 (9 overs)
8.1 Boult to Root, 1 run, full outside off, driven well but not well timed
8.2 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, fullish ball angled across, it kept rising after pitching, Tom takes it near his head
8.3 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, back of a length now, angled across again, defended on the back foot
8.4 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, full outside off, driven off the inside half down the ground
8.5 Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, short ball, he was ready for it, swivels and pulls to the deep square leg fence
8.6 Boult to Bairstow, DOT.
Eng 34/1 (8 overs)
Joe Root is in early for a change at no.3
7.1 Henry to Root, DOT, length outside off, kept a bit low, he lets it go
7.2 Henry to Root, DOT, length on the stumps now, defended right under his eyes on the back foot
7.3 Henry to Root, DOT, fullish on off, moving away too, defended
7.4 Henry to Root, 1 run, comes down to negate the swing, gets an outside edge on the flick to extra cover
7.5 Henry to Bairstow, DOT, close again! Full ball swinging away, Jonny pushes without much feet, and is lucky to not edge it
7.6 Henry to Bairstow, DOT.
Eng 28/1 (5.4 overs)
5.1 Henry to Roy, DOT, fullish delivery outside off, pushed on the up to mid off
5.2 Henry to Roy, FOUR, these two are back in form after a nervy start! Full outside off again, driven superbly on the up, and past the covers
5.3 Henry to Roy, DOT, close, very close! Same length delivery as the previous one, Roy looks to drive straighter, it seams away past the edge
5.4 Henry to Roy, OUT, gone now! Similar delivery again, Roy pushed at it again, it moves away again, takes a thin outside edge and Tom takes a good catch
Roy c Latham b Henry 17(20)
Eng 24/0 (5 overs)
4.1 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, full and swinging in on leg stump, flicked to mid wicket
4.2 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, inswing on the length ball again, Jonny looks to push, gets an inside edge which takes the thigh and falls short of slip
4.3 Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, class! Fullish on off, Jonny merely punches it, and gets it through the covers for his first boundary
4.4 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, typical pacer response, goes short, makes him duck under it
4.5 Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, shot! Low full toss, this time he sweetly times the drive through the covers. Second boundary for him and for the over too
4.6 Boult to Bairstow, DOT.
Eng 16/0 (4 overs)
3.1 Henry to Roy, DOT, back of a length outside off, he lets it go
3.2 Henry to Roy, DOT, there's the super ball! Length on off, Roy pushes at it, lucky to not catch the edge
3.3 Henry to Roy, 1 run, full ball looking for some swing, flicked to fine leg for one
3.4 Henry to Bairstow, 1 run, length again, nagging one on off, looks to defend, and gets a slight outside edge to third man
3.5 Henry to Roy, DOT, length ball on the body now, played to square leg
3.6 Henry to Roy, 2 runs.
Eng 12/0 (3 overs)
2.1 Boult to Bairstow, WIDE, tries for some swing with the full one but sends it way down the tramline
2.1 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, length now, played to mid wicket
2.2 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, inswinger again, on a length, hits Jonny on the stomach
2.3 Boult to Bairstow, 1 run, lucky boy Jonny! Looks to drive the full ball, gets an inside edge to fine leg. Gets off the mark though
2.4 Boult to Roy, DOT, almost! Oh my word, these Kiwi bowlers are on fire! Proper yorker, tailing in too, but outside leg stump. Nutmegged Roy there
2.5 Boult to Roy, FOUR, he does not care about good deliveries. Comes down and Trent bowls it short, he adjusts well to play it with fast hands past point
2.6 Boult to Roy, 1 run.
Eng 5/0 (2 overs)
Matt Henry from the other end with the new ball in hand.
1.1 Henry to Roy, DOT, length ball on middle to start, flicked to short mid wicket
1.2 Henry to Roy, DOT, beauty! Length on off again, coming in off the pitch, and it cuts Roy right in half
1.3 Henry to Roy, DOT, another ripper! Matt is in form alright. Goes back of a length, and now gets it to move away, Roy somehow manages to evade the edge
1.4 Henry to Roy, DOT, comes down now to counter the swing, and plays the length ball to mid wicket
1.5 Henry to Roy, DOT, length ball now outside off, punched to mid off
1.6 Henry to Roy, FOUR, that's how Roy responds! Top class shot. Gets a full one on middle, and he drives it straight down the ground with all the elegance in the world
Eng 1/0 (1 over)
Bairstow and Roy are at the crease and they have been in top form all through this tournament. They'll no doubt go for it again. Boult with the new ball.
0.1 Boult to Roy, DOT, drama right away! Brilliant inswinger first up, Roy is beaten on the flick. Umpire gave it not out, and the wickets show umpire's call. Roy survives!
0.2 Boult to Roy, 1 run, full outside off now, gets an outside edge on the drive to third man. Off the mark they go!
0.3 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, on the money. Length on off, angled across, he lets it go
0.4 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, length ball angled across outside off, defended down the wicket
0.5 Boult to Bairstow, DOT, on the pads again, but it is swinging too much, would have gone down leg
0.6 Boult to Bairstow, DOT.
NZ 241/8 (50 overs)
Matt Henry is the man in at no.9
49.1 Archer to Santner, DOT, shuffles right across, and the ball goes over leg stump
49.2 Archer to Santner, 1 run, backs away this time and drives straight to extra cover, has to dive to make it in
49.3 Archer to Henry, WIDE, slower short ball, and the no.9 misses the swat/pull
49.3 Archer to Henry, OUT, full and straight, full toss actually and he misses the slice after backing away
Henry b Archer 4(2)
Trent Boult the new man in.
49.4 Archer to Boult, DOT, great yorker on middle stump, dug out well by Trent
49.5 Archer to Boult, 1 run, yorker again, driven to mid off now
49.6 Archer to Santner, DOT. New Zealand finish on a similar score to the semi-final
NZ 232/7 (48.3 overs)
48.1 Woakes to Latham, 1 leg byes, appeal from Woakes for lbw and he misses the run out chance as well! Morgan has gone for the DRS here. And that pitched outside leg, waste of a review that
48.2 Woakes to Santner, 1 run, length ball, pulled to deep mid wicket
48.3 Woakes to Latham, FOUR WIDES, oh unlucky there Buttler. This was the slower one bowled very wide of leg stump, it spun away past the gloves, and 5 runs are added to the total
48.3 Woakes to Latham, OUT, gone. Low full toss outside off, looking for the yorker but Tom cannot latch on, chips it straight to mid off
Latham c sub (Vince) b Woakes 47(56)
NZ 225/6 (48 overs)
Mitch Santner is in at no.8. And he certainly can hit them a long way
47.1 Archer to Latham, 1 run, tucks this length ball to square leg
47.2 Archer to Santner, 1 run, back of a length on off, comfortably guided to backward point
47.3 Archer to Latham, DOT, pacy short ball and Tom ducks sensibly
47.4 Archer to Latham, 1 run, loopy full toss wide of off, driven straight to extra cover
47.5 Archer to Santner, 1 run, low full toss outside off now, driven to mid off
47.6 Archer to Latham, 1 run.
NZ 219/6 (46.5 overs)
Woakes is back now. Wood is off the field, has a side strain, thankfully has finished his quota today.
46.1 Woakes to Latham, 1 run, starts full and wide, driven to extra cover for one
46.2 Woakes to de Grandhomme, 2 runs, slow ball back of a length, turned to fine leg for a couple
46.3 Woakes to de Grandhomme, 1 run, slow again, off the outside edge to point
46.4 Woakes to Latham, 1 run, shuffles across and pulls the short one to deep mid wicket
46.5 Woakes to de Grandhomme, OUT, this was always coming. Colin was looking very nervy, could not get bat on ball, slow ball again, and he chips straight to mid off
de Grandhomme c sub (Vince) b Woakes 16(28)
Superb bowling today!
NZ 211/5 (45 overs)
44.1 Wood to Latham, DOT, length ball angled across, he misses his agricultural hoick
44.2 Wood to Latham, DOT, goes for it again, and this time is beaten for pace
44.3 Wood to Latham, SIX, all the way now! Full and on middle, flicked away very well, great timing to get it voer deep mid wicket
44.4 Wood to Latham, DOT, beaten for pace again now, is struck on above the hip
44.5 Wood to Latham, 1 run, short and half pulled to fine leg, Buttler has done well to strike the stumps after a wayward throw but Colin is just in
44.6 Wood to de Grandhomme, DOT.
NZ 204/5 (44 overs)
43.1 Archer to Latham, 1 run, to mid wicket
43.2 Archer to de Grandhomme, 1 leg byes, slower bouncer, he misses the pull and it takes the shoulder towards gully
43.3 Archer to Latham, 1 run, short and pulled to deep mid wicket
43.4 Archer to de Grandhomme, WIDE, short ball outside off, this time he sways away
43.4 Archer to de Grandhomme, DOT, short ball, stuck in the pitch, he is late on the punch, the edge just falls short of cover
43.5 Archer to de Grandhomme, 1 leg byes, another slow short ball, takes the shoulder again to short third man
43.6 Archer to Latham, WIDE, deemed too short
43.6 Archer to Latham, WIDE, short and down leg, Jofra nd Jos are unhappy, Eramsus says it is for the leg side line
43.6 Archer to Latham, 1 run.
NZ 196/5 (43 overs)
42.1 Wood to de Grandhomme, 1 run, full on leg, and flicked to fine leg
42.2 Wood to Latham, 1 run, opens the face late to guide this length ball to gully
42.3 Wood to de Grandhomme, FOUR leg byes, nasty stuff!Bouncer at good pace, Colin ducks but it catches the shoulder and flies over Buttler's hand
42.4 Wood to de Grandhomme, 2 runs, flicked to deep backward square and calls early for the second, well run
42.5 Wood to de Grandhomme, 1 run, short and wide, cut to third man for one
42.6 Wood to Latham, 1 run.
NZ 186/5 (42 overs)
Jofra Archer is back.
41.1 Archer to Latham, 1 run, starts the second spell with a gentle length delivery, tucked to square leg
41.2 Archer to de Grandhomme, DOT, he is being beaten a lot on the push shot without any feet. Jofra is quicker too, and so it whizzed past the bat
41.3 Archer to de Grandhomme, 1 run, lands safe. Short ball, well directed, off the glove on the pull to short third man. Struck the helmet too
He receives some attention as per protocol but it is nothing dangerous
41.4 Archer to Latham, 1 run, pushes to mid off and takes a quick single
41.5 Archer to de Grandhomme, 1 run, driven to mid off, who had all the time in the world to hit the stumps, does not do so
41.6 Archer to Latham, WIDE, slower ball but it is sent down leg
41.6 Archer to Latham, DOT.
NZ 181/5 (41 overs)
Colin de Grandhomme is the man at no.7. We are into the final powerplay now, and England are just a little bit ahead. How much can New Zealand muster up in the last 10?
40.1 Plunkett to de Grandhomme, DOT, super ball! Length ball outside off, Colin looks to push at it, and is beaten by the away movement
40.2 Plunkett to de Grandhomme, DOT, clever stuff, sees him come down the ground, digs it in short and forces him to duck
40.3 Plunkett to de Grandhomme, 1 run, length on off, tucked to deep square leg
40.4 Plunkett to Latham, 1 run, short ball again, pulled to deep mid wicket
40.5 Plunkett to de Grandhomme, DOT, cross seam delivery yet again, beats the bat which is hung out to dry
40.6 Plunkett to de Grandhomme, DOT.
Plunkett finishes his quota with superb figures of 10-0-42-3
NZ 173/5 (39 overs)
38.1 Plunkett to Neesham, DOT, goes for a wild slog across the line, and misses it by some distance
38.2 Plunkett to Neesham, 1 run, length ball cramping for room, but he is in a good position to dab to third man
38.3 Plunkett to Latham, 1 run, back of a length outside off, punched to sweeper cover
38.4 Plunkett to Neesham, 2 runs, very well played, opens the face late to get it to third man
38.5 Plunkett to Neesham, FOUR, he was searching for that boundary all over. Gets this on a length wide of off, was the slower one, he punched well and wide of deep extra cover
38.6 Plunkett to Neesham, OUT, gone! Liam at it again. Fuller ball on off, mid on was inside the ring, so the lofted shot was on, Jimmy went for it but does not get the elevation, lofts straight to that man
Neesham c Root b Plunkett 19(25)
NZ 165/4 (38 overs)
37.1 Wood to Latham, FOUR, superb shot! Length ball outside off from round the wicket, he punches strongly, hits the ball on its head, and gets it wide of extra cover
37.2 Wood to Latham, DOT, great response! A bit fuller this time, the pace is good and the movement away beats the bat
37.3 Wood to Latham, 1 run, dabbed down easily to third man
37.4 Wood to Neesham, DOT, angled in on a length again, defended to point
37.5 Wood to Neesham, DOT, short ball, not rising too high, Jimmy ducks nevertheless
37.6 Wood to Neesham, 1 run.
NZ 159/4 (37 overs)
Liam Plunkettis back to bowl a third spell.
36.1 Plunkett to Neesham, DOT, goes back of a length, and is punched to backward point
36.2 Plunkett to Neesham, 1 run, length ball coming in off the pitch, Jimmy got an inside edge and his partner called him through for the quick single
36.3 Plunkett to Latham, DOT, length ball cramping him for room, tries to dab it down but cannot pull it off
36.4 Plunkett to Latham, FOUR, what a shot! Short ball, Tom uses the pace, only half pulls it, and gets it to the fine leg fence
36.5 Plunkett to Latham, 1 run, smart batting, tucks this one to mid on for a good single
36.6 Plunkett to Neesham, DOT.
NZ 153/4 (36 overs)
35.1 Wood to Neesham, DOT, full and he drives that with great timing, but to short cover
35.2 Wood to Neesham, DOT, angled in on a length with good pace, defended down the wicket
35.3 Wood to Neesham, DOT, surprise short ball, well directed too, Jimmy just about sways away from it
35.4 Wood to Neesham, 1 run, short again, this time he was tall and ready, pulls to deep mid wicket
35.5 Wood to Latham, DOT, bowls full to Tom, who misses his drive
35.6 Wood to Latham, DOT.
NZ 152/4 (35 overs)
Jimmy Neesham walks in at no.6. The replays are in on that Taylor lbw and it was missing the stumps. By a good four inches. Rare poor decision from Erasmus that.
34.1 Stokes to Latham, 1 run, short and wide, punched uppishly to deep cover
34.2 Stokes to Neesham, DOT, angles it in from round the wicket, Jimmy misses the flick
34.3 Stokes to Neesham, DOT, short and cramping him for room, cut straight to backward point
34.4 Stokes to Neesham, FOUR, good shot! Full on middle stump, flicked away with great timing, beats Bairstow's dive at deep mid wicket
34.5 Stokes to Neesham, WIDE, angled too far across now, down leg it goes
34.5 Stokes to Neesham, FOUR, short ball and that is pulled very well, past mid wicket and mid on for the second boundary of the over
34.6 Stokes to Neesham, 1 run.
NZ 141/4 (33.1 overs)
Mark Wood is back for a second spell.
33.1 Wood to Taylor, OUT, strikes straight away but that seems a harsh call. Kiwis do not have a review left here. Steams in Wood and angles it back in on a length, Ross misses the flick as his head falls over, is struck high on the pad and Erasmus raised the finger after a long time. Timely strike!
Taylor lbw b Wood 15(31)
NZ 141/3 (33 overs)
32.1 Stokes to Latham, DOT.
Archer and Stokes put some dust on the landing area, may be damp with all the overnight rain
32.2 Stokes to Latham, 1 run, short and pulled well to deep square leg
32.3 Stokes to Taylor, 1 run, short again, this time pulled to deep mid wicket
32.4 Stokes to Latham, 1 run, comes round the wicket and bowls a length ball that straightens after pitching, takes the outside edge to third man
32.5 Stokes to Taylor, 2leg byes, too straight, goes off the hip to fine leg
32.6 Stokes to Taylor, WIDE, short ball that keeps low, just past the tramline too
32.6 Stokes to Taylor, 1 run.
NZ 134/3 (32 overs)
Drinks were taken after that Stokes over but we are back now. Rashid to continue.
31.1 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, drifting on leg stump, played to mid wicket
31.2 Rashid to Latham, 1 run, comes down and drives to long on
31.3 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, they are milking the singles here, Ross tucks to deep mid wicket this time
31.4 Rashid to Latham, 1 run, to deep square leg
31.5 Rashid to Taylor, DOT, flatter and fuller on middle, defended on the front foot
31.6 Rashid to Taylor, DOT.
NZ 130/3 (31 overs)
Ben Stokes is into the attack, which means there is another medium pace bowler who is accurate with his lengths
30.1 Stokes to Latham, 1 run, starts with length on the body, and is tucked to backward square
30.2 Stokes to Taylor, 1 run, to fine leg
30.3 Stokes to Latham, DOT, short and wide, beaten for pace? Seems so. Tom misses his cut shot
30.4 Stokes to Latham, 1 run, length on off, pushed firmly down the ground, and Tom clashes with Morgan a bit as he ended the run
30.5 Stokes to Taylor, 1 run, full pace length delivery on middle stump, tucked to deep backward square
30.6 Stokes to Latham, DOT.
Some heavy captions here
NZ 123/3 (29 overs)
28.1 Plunkett to Latham, DOT, length outside off, left alone
28.2 Plunkett to Latham, DOT, gets an inside edge on the punch, does not run sensibly
28.3 Plunkett to Latham, DOT, that nagging length on off again, superb discipline this, defended to cover point
28.4 Plunkett to Latham, DOT.
28.5 Plunkett to Latham, DOT, full on the stumps, and flicked along the ground to short mid wicket
28.6 Plunkett to Latham, 1 run.
NZ 122/3 (28 overs)
Tom Latham walks out to join Ross Taylor
27.1 Rashid to Taylor, DOT, leg spinner on off, defended on the front foot
27.2 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, comes down and turns the short ball to square leg
27.3 Rashid to Latham, 1 run, short and turned to deep square leg
27.4 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, full on leg stump, driven to long on
27.5 Rashid to Latham, 1 run, punched to long on now
27.6 Rashid to Taylor, DOT.
NZ 118/3 (26.5 overs)
26.1 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, straight delivery on off stump, defended down the ground
26.2 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, punched down the ground and they do not risk the single
26.3 Plunkett to Nicholls, 3 runs, full and wide, driven past extra cover, Stokes covers a lot of ground from sweeper, saves one
26.4 Plunkett to Taylor, 1 run, length outside off, dabbed down to third man
26.5 Plunkett to Nicholls, OUT, what a ripper! Ok not so much, it came off the inside edge. That nagging length ball on off again, Henry looked to drive/punch on the up, it was the cross seam delivery, gets an inside edge onto the bail of the leg stump
Nicholls b Plunkett 55(77)
NZ 114/2 (26 overs)
25.1 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, comes down and drives to long on, gets to his fifty, what a time to get it too. In a World Cup final no less
25.2 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, straight delivery, played to square leg for one
25.3 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, full and swept to deep square leg
25.4 Rashid to Taylor, DOT, advances and drives back to Adil
25.5 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, this time drives to long on after coming down the pitch
25.6 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run.
NZ 108/2 (24 overs)
Ross Taylor is in at no.4
23.1 Rashid to Nicholls, DOT, googly dropped full on off, defended on the front foot
23.2 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, to deep mid wicket
23.3 Rashid to Taylor, 1 run, tucks the length ball to square leg
23.4 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, googly and Henry did not read it. Slip would have gobbled up the outside edge, instead he gets a run
23.5 Rashid to Taylor, 2 runs, full and down leg, tickled fine, Jofra gives chase and keeps them to two
23.6 Rashid to Taylor, DOT.
NZ 103/2 (22.4 overs)
A change in bowling again, and it will be Plunkett back to bowl now.
22.1 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, starts full, driven to short cover
22.2 Plunkett to Nicholls, 1 run, length on the stumps now, pushed to mid on for a quick single
22.3 Plunkett to Williamson, DOT, full and wide, driven very well but Roy at cover throws himself across the turf to stop it
22.4 Plunkett to Williamson, OUT, everyone in the England went up but Dharmasena is unmoved. Morgan went for the DRS without consulting anyone, he is that confident. Length outside off, Kane pushes at it uncharacteristically, and right on cue the ultra-edge shows a slight spike. Inspired stuff from Plunkett, he was expensive in his first spell but gets the big fish now
Williamson c Buttler b Plunkett 30(53)
NZ 102/1 (22 overs)
21.1 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run, length ball drifting down leg, tucked to deep square leg
21.2 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, advances down and drives to mid off, makes it in easily to bring up the 100 for New Zealand
21.3 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run, nudged past mid wicket for a typical soft shot
21.4 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, comes down again, not to attack but to whip to long on
21.5 Rashid to Williamson, DOT, driven down the ground, and Adil does well to field off his own bowling
21.6 Rashid to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 98/1 (21 overs)
20.1 Wood to Williamson, 3 runs, half volley wide of off, superbly driven to deep cover, the electric Bairstow ran in from sweeper and put in the dive to save one
20.2 Wood to Nicholls, DOT, straight ball on a length, misses the tuck again
20.3 Wood to Nicholls, 2 runs, short and wide now, cut well to wide third man, this time it is Rashid who does well to save two
20.4 Wood to Nicholls, 1 run, comes round the wicket and bowls short and angling in, pulled to deep square leg
20.5 Wood to Williamson, DOT, length ball outside off, cramping him for room, defended late towards gully
20.6 Wood to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 91/1 (20 overs)
19.1 Rashid to Williamson, FOUR, now he gets hold of it! Well flighted outside off, he saw it well, and slog swept it wide of long on for a well placed boundary
19.2 Rashid to Williamson, DOT, well bowled. Not too much flight, keeps it on the stumps, Kane plays it well to the off side
19.3 Rashid to Williamson, DOT, flatter again, on leg stump line, spinning in, defended again
19.4 Rashid to Williamson, 2 runs, similar delivery, but this time he gets low and sweeps to backward square
19.5 Rashid to Williamson, DOT, a bit short, punched to cover
19.6 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run.
Is anyone surprised?
NZ 77/1 (18 overs)
Plunkett off the attack now, in comes Adil Rashid
17.1 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run, starts with a loopy one on off, driven to long off
17.2 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, Henry did this well in the semis against Chahal too. Gets down and times the paddle to fine leg
17.3 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run, he wants to attack the spinner early, not allow him to settle. Comes down and drives the half volley to wide long off
17.4 Rashid to Nicholls, 1 run, full on middle now, and he brings out the paddle again to fine leg
17.5 Rashid to Williamson, 2 runs, smart shot that. Mid on was inside the ring, so he came down again and lofted it over that man, has not timed it well enough for a boundary
17.6 Rashid to Williamson, 1 run.
NZ 70/1 (17 overs)
16.1 Wood to Nicholls, DOT, beaten by the pacey incoming delivery, but again struck too high on the pad
16.2 Wood to Nicholls, DOT, length outside off, defended to point
16.3 Wood to Nicholls, 1 run, back of a length on off, tucked to mid wicket for a quick single
16.4 Wood to Williamson, DOT, angles it in on a length with pace, no problems for Kane as he defends solidly
16.5 Wood to Williamson, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the body, tucked to square leg for a single
16.6 Wood to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 68/1 (16 overs)
15.1 Plunkett to Nicholls, FOUR, short ball angled too far across again, England's back-up bowlers not doing the job so far. Pulls it and does a fine job of it, gets it to the boundary, beats even Ben Stokes' dive
15.2 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, fuller now, better line, defended
15.3 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, full again, outside off now, driven to extra cover
15.4 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, half volley outside off, driven straight to short cover
15.5 Plunkett to Nicholls, 1 run, this is not the line from round the wicket. Angles it in, and it is an all too simple flick to backward square
15.6 Plunkett to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 63/1 (15 overs)
Woakes is off the attack after 7 overs, onto bowl comes Durham lad, Mark Wood.
14.1 Wood to Williamson, WIDE, some away swing already, full and wide, Kane misses the drive. Harsh call to wide it
14.1 Wood to Williamson, DOT, length wide of off now, swinging further away
14.2 Wood to Williamson, DOT, he is getting some nice away swing here. Length ball on off, it moves away after pitching, but the Kiwi skipper wants nothing to do with it
14.3 Wood to Williamson, DOT, oh a gentle full toss this time, Kane was surprised and drove it straight back
14.4 Wood to Williamson, 1 run, back of a length outside off, he jumps up and punches to deep point
14.5 Wood to Nicholls, 1 leg byes, inswing to the left hander, wrong line though, tucked to fine leg
14.6 Wood to Williamson, WIDE, angled it too far across this time, down leg it went
14.6 Wood to Williamson, FOUR, short ball angled too far across again, easily swivel and help away off the glove to the fine leg fence
That will be drinks as well
NZ 55/1 (14 overs)
13.1 Plunkett to Nicholls, 1 run, comes round the wicket and bowls it full, Henry gets an outside edge on the drive, to third man it goes
13.2 Plunkett to Williamson, DOT, short and wide, cut without much timing to backward point
13.3 Plunkett to Williamson, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, flicked to deep square leg
13.4 Plunkett to Nicholls, 1 run, length ball angling in from round the wicket, he gets another outside edge on the cut to third man
13.5 Plunkett to Williamson, 1 run, short and not so wide, punched to deep point
13.6 Plunkett to Nicholls, FOUR, poor ball. Full way down the leg side, flicked away easily and into the deep backward square ropes she goes
Not so acrobatic
NZ 46/1 (12 overs)
First change of bowling from Morgan, and Liam Plunkett it will be to bowl.
11.1 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, starts full just outside off, punched down to mid off
11.2 Plunkett to Nicholls, 2 runs, casual stuff from Root at cover. Kane was in easily at the striker's end, he threw away and gave away an extra run
11.3 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, length ball now, coming in a bit, does not get the flick away
11.4 Plunkett to Nicholls, 2 runs, short and Henry pulls, does not get much timing on it, gets it to deep mid wicket for another two
11.5 Plunkett to Nicholls, DOT, genuine half volley and driven well but straight to short cover
11.6 Plunkett to Nicholls, 2 runs.
NZ 40/1 (11 overs)
End of first powerplay and New Zealand find themselves in the same situation that they have been in most of the World Cup. With a rebuild job on their hands with a low powerplay score.
10.1 Woakes to Williamson, WIDE, in swing again, but wrong line, goes down leg
10.1 Woakes to Williamson, 1 run, short and wide, cuts but gets an outside edge through the vacant third slip region to third man
10.2 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, shuffles across a long way, and is hit on the flap by this incoming delivery. Too high though
10.3 Woakes to Nicholls, FOUR, first confident shot from Henry and he gets a handsome reward! Short and wide, he cut hard, and got it through point for a welcome boundary for himself
10.4 Woakes to Nicholls, 1 run, now he seems to be hitting his stride. Full and wide, driven well to sweeper for one
10.5 Woakes to Williamson, DOT, length ball angling in on off, defended
10.6 Woakes to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 33/1 (10 overs)
9.1 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, back of a length on off, he goes back and defends
9.2 Archer to Nicholls, 1 leg byes, pacey delivery swinging in, he looks to flick, but is hit on the pad, goes to third man
9.3 Archer to Williamson, DOT, length ball wide of off, swung back in a long way but it was already past the stumps
9.4 Archer to Williamson, DOT, length again, coming in early this time, softly played to square leg for a quick run
9.5 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, inside edge and is hit high on the pad. Definitely not at his best here
9.6 Archer to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 31/1 (9 overs)
8.1 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, fullish ball on middle stump, moving away, defended down the ground
8.2 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, short and wide now, poor ball, had to be put away but Henry is out of touch, and so misses the cut shot
8.3 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, length ball now outside off, he goes back to defend this down the ground
8.4 Woakes to Nicholls, 1 run, direct hit and he would have kept running! Drove this to mid off and set off desperately to get off strike Henry, Roy misses the stumps by some margin
8.5 Woakes to Williamson, DOT, goes full just outside off, defended right under the eyes
8.6 Woakes to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 30/1 (8 overs)
Kane Williamson is in at no.3 for his moment of truth. He has got them within one step of a major victory, can he help them achieve it though?
7.1 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, back of a length straight ball, beaten for pace is Henry, and is struck on the thighs
7.2 Archer to Nicholls, 1 run, late call, very late call but they make it in. He got an inside edge that rolled past the stumps, Henry was looking for the ball, but his skipper called him through and he trusted him enough
7.3 Archer to Williamson, DOT, what a ripper to welcome him! Short ball that whizzes past the helmet, but Kane had swayed away from the line after dropping his wrists
7.4 Archer to Williamson, DOT, almost, almost! Superb delivery- length on off, and moving away off the pitch, he cannot go back neither come forward, hopes that it passes the edge and it does. Phew!
7.5 Archer to Williamson, DOT, goes short again, this time he ducks under it
7.6 Archer to Williamson, DOT.
NZ 29/1 (6.2 overs)
6.1 Woakes to Nicholls, 1 run, this guy is very nervous. Cannot read the ball at all, this came back in off the pitch again, but he well forward and was hit high on the pad, umpire says he got an inside edge too
6.2 Woakes to Guptill, OUT, this is very close, the finger has gone up but Martin wants the review. His partner suggests that it was swinging past the leg stump. Too far a stretch I think. Length delivery that came in off the pitch, struck the back pad again, and that is dead. Three reds and off walks Martin Guptill, who was looking dangerous. Also loses the Kiwis their review
Guptill lbw b Woakes 19(18)
NZ 28/0 (6 overs)
5.1 Archer to Guptill, 1 run, drops this one to the leg side and takes off for a quick single
5.2 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, length ball outside off, defended to point
5.3 Archer to Nicholls, 2 runs, length ball too straight, tucked to square leg for a couple
5.4 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, better line this time, on off, moving away a bit, solidly defended
5.5 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, the nip backer this time, Henry misses the flick, but is hit too high on the pad
5.6 Archer to Nicholls, 1 run.
NZ 24/0 (5 overs)
4.1 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, length ball slanted across the southpaw, who lets it go through safely
4.2 Woakes to Nicholls, 1 run, back of a length ball that stuck to the pitch a bit, Henry rises with it and dabs to third man
4.3 Woakes to Guptill, 1 run, fullish ball on off, flicked to fine leg off the inside edge
4.4 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, short and just a bit wide, cut to backward point
4.5 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, length ball now wide of off, cut to backward point again
4.6 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 22/0 (4 overs)
3.1 Archer to Guptill, DOT, length on off, coming in a bit, defended easily down the ground
3.2 Archer to Guptill, SIX, all the way! Martin is not going to hold back today. Short ball outside off, he backs away a bit and cuts uppishly, third man was there but the pace on it was so much that it went over the ropes easily
3.3 Archer to Guptill, DOT, length ball now wide of off, swinging away after passing the stumps
3.4 Archer to Guptill, FOUR, thunderous! Full and outside off, he clubs the drive down the ground, Jofra put his hand up on the follow through but had no chance whatsoever
3.5 Archer to Guptill, 1 run, length down leg now, fended off towards fine leg
3.6 Archer to Nicholls, 1 run.
NZ 10/0 (3 overs)
2.1 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, back of a length on leg stump line, he shuffles across and tucks to square leg
2.2 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, tries to entice a booming drive with this fullish delivery wide of off, but Henry is smart enough to let it go
2.3 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, that was deader than a dodo! Henry has gone for the DRS but. Typical Woakes delivery, pitched on off, coming in off the pitch and seam, beats the inside edge and strikes the back pad. Seems a bad review already. Oh my, no it is a great review! Just missing the stumps, by a matter of 2 inches I presume. My word, this is a great start
2.4 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT, he looks nervous already. Prods forward to defend this straight ball, gets an inside edge onto pad though
2.5 Woakes to Nicholls, 2 runs, too straight now, tucked to deep square leg for two
2.6 Woakes to Nicholls, DOT.
NZ 8/0 (2 overs)
Jofra Archer will steam in from the other end.
1.1 Archer to Nicholls, DOT, on the money right up. Full on the stumps, no swing though to trouble Henry, as he easily defends to mid wicket
1.2 Archer to Nicholls, 1 leg byes, wrong line down leg, helped off the pads to fine leg
1.3 Archer to Guptill, DOT, goes back of a length to the right hander, defended to the leg side, he wanted one but his partner said no
1.4 Archer to Guptill, 2 runs, too straight from Jofra, coming in a bit, tucked to fine leg for a couple
1.5 Archer to Guptill, DOT, massive appeal but they do not go for the DRS! Super decision because it went off the thigh pad there. Beauty of a delivery, pitched on a length on off, Martin was back to defend, it moved away off the pitch but luckily did not catch the edge
1.6 Archer to Guptill, DOT.
NZ 5/0 (1 over)
Guptill and Nicholls are in again as openers for New Zealand. This is the day to not let their skipper down, and putting a solid score on the board will probably never be more important than today. Chris Woakes with the new ball in hand will want to ensure he does not let them get away. Here we go!
0.1 Woakes to Guptill, WIDE, play and a miss first up! Full and very wide, Martin chases after it, does not connect the drive
0.1 Woakes to Guptill, DOT, length delivery now, normal service resumed, defended on the back foot
0.2 Woakes to Guptill, DOT, length again, outside off now, he shoulders arms
0.3 Woakes to Guptill, DOT, goes back of a length this time, on the stumps, Martin rises up and drops it down the pitch
0.4 Woakes to Guptill, DOT, he definitely wants to attack from the get go! Comes down the track but mistimes the punch to point
0.5 Woakes to Guptill, FOUR, first runs and first boundary too! Back of a length wide of off, he punches aerially, gets it past backward point and through gully
0.6 Woakes to Guptill, DOT.
Time for the national anthems!
New Zealand's anthem is played first, followed by that of England
Team News
England XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Tom Latham(wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson
NZ win toss, choose to bat first
Williamson calls it right and he will bat first! Probably a good decision, chasing is too much pressure in a final. No changes to the New Zealand team for the final, Kane keeps his faith in the current XI.
Morgan is not too disappointed with losing the toss, says he was leaning towards bowling first anyway. No changes for England as well, why would they change anything, they are going great guns.
A piece of bad news
A home victory or a gentlemanly champion?
So one and a half months of non-stop cricketing action has culminated in this. A World Cup final between England and New Zealand. A home team with a point to prove while the other looking to achieve a pinnacle which they fell short of four years ago.
Both finalists were not the best team across the tournament by any stretch of imagination. England suffered a mini stutter mid-tourney while the Kiwis entered the semi-finals by a hair's breadth. But knockouts are not reflective of group-stage dominance. All bets are off then, whoever has the better day on the field goes through. New Zealand displayed an indomitable stomach to fight to claw their way to a second successive final.
In contrast, England pushed through like a battering ram, crushing Australia with their swing and using their bats as swords to sever any signs of a fightback from the 5-time champions. That clinical victory means that England start as overwhelming favourites, but New Zealand will be more than happy to fly under the radar, it exactly suits their style of operating.
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