ICC World T20 Semi-finals 1: Darly Mitchell brilliance takes New Zealand to their maiden T20 finals

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 New Zealand edged past England in a thrilling first semi-final played at Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to field first. Buttler looked in fine form taking on Kiwi bowlers while Bairstow struggled with his timing. Adam Milne got the breakthrough for New Zealand dismissing Bairstow providing a catch to Kane Williamson. The England openers added 37 laying a strong foundation. At the end of the first six overs, Eoin Morgan led side scored 40 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Sodhi got rid of Buttler to leave England in some trouble. Moeen Ali joined in with Dawid Malan steading the ship keeping the scoreboard ticking with boundaries and taking singles. Both England batters showed intent right from word go making life tough for Kiwis bowlers. Southee got the wicket of well-set Malan caught by Conway. Malan and Moeen Ali added 63 runs for the 3rd wicket. Liam Livingstone took the attack to New Zealand bowlers hitting vital boundaries. On the other hand, Moeen Ali completed fifty off 36 balls. Livingstone was caught at long-off by Santer. Livingstone and Moeen added 30 runs for the 4th wicket. Thanks to superb knocks by Moeen Ali and Malan, England posted 166 for 4 in 20 overs.

In reply to 167 runs, it was a poor start for New Zealand as Martin Guptill was caught by Moeen Ali at mid-on after hitting a boundary off the first ball. Chris Woakes bowled with tight lines and lengths not allowing Kane Williamson to score runs easily. Williamson failed to provide a simple catch to Adil Rashid to leave New Zealand in some trouble. Devon Conway and Mitchell steadied the ship keeping the pressure on England bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, New Zealand made 36 for 2.

After the field restrictions, Mitchell struggled to time the ball while Devon Conway looked in decent touch keeping the scoreboard ticking. Liam Livingstone bowled with tight lines and lengths not allowing Kiwi batters to score runs easily.

Conway put pressure on England bowlers hitting boundaries and taking singles. Livingstone got the big breakthrough dismissing Conway stumped. Conway and Mitchell added 82 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Daryl Mitchell upped the ante and took the attack to England bowlers. With 57 runs required off the last 4 overs, James Neesham smashed Chris Jordan for 23 runs in the 17th over to make life tough for England bowlers. Mitchell kept his cool completing his fifty off 41 balls. The England fielding was not great as they missed run-outs and could not take catches on vital moments.  Neesham and Mitchell smashed important runs off Adil Rashid to give momentum for New Zealand. Rashid eventually got rid of Neesham ending a match-changing 40 runs partnership off 20 balls.

Mitchell just completed the formalities hitting 20 runs off the 19th over and helping New Zealand register 5 wicket win.

New Zealand 167 for 5 in 19 overs (Mitchell 72*, Conway 46, Livingstone 2/22, Woakes 2/36) beat England 166 for 4 in 20 overs ( Moeen Ali 51*, Malan 41, Southee 1/24, Milne 1/31) by 5 wickets.

For his unbeaten 72 off 47 balls, Mitchell was awarded the man of the match. New Zealand reached their maiden ICC World T20 finals.








Daryl Mitchell 72* helps New Zealand reach their maiden T20 finals 

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