Morgan heaps praise on bowlers

England captain Eoin Morgan praised his “outstanding” bowling attack after the tournament hosts booked their place in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy with an 87-run win over New Zealand here.

Tuesday’s success means England will return to the Welsh capital as Group A winners for a last four clash against the as yet unknown Group B runners-up on June 14.

England looked to have fallen short of a par score despite making 310 all out after Joe Root (64), Alex Hales (56) and Ben Stokes (48) were all dismissed when well set before Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 61 boosted the total.

But fast bowler Mark Wood took the key wicket of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (87) in the 31st over.

Williamson’s exit sparked a collapse that saw New Zealand lose their last eight wickets for 65 runs on the way to a total of 223 all out.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid justified his recall in place of injured all-rounder Chris Woakes with a 10-over return of two for 47.

Morgan feared England didn’t have enough runs to play with after being sent into bat by Williamson.

“I thought we were probably 10 or 15 below par — given that 320 is probably a par score regardless of the game we’re playing in these days,” said Morgan.

Wood produced a superb delivery that Williamson, seemingly on course for a second successive century after his hundred in the Blackcaps’ rain-ruined no result opener against Australia, could only glove to diving wicket-keeper Buttler.

“Guys like him (Wood) are so valuable to the team — and you can’t leave any of our bowlers out,” Morgan insisted.

“I thought they did an outstanding job. They were truly the highlight of the day.”