New Zealand made a roaring start to their defence as Matt Henry got a wicket in his first over yet again. He had Phil Salt nick to the wicketkeeper. Jos Buttler’s tough campaign continued as he fell to Lockie Ferguson in the same fashion, and England were 2/2 after just eight balls into the innings.
However, Harry Brook, who became the first captain to hit a century in T20 World Cups in the previous game, calmed some of the early nerves with back to back boundaries against Henry. The second was an extravagant scoop for six.
Glenn Phillips played a part in dismissing both Brook and Jacob Bethell, who had built a 48-run stand for the third wicket. While he had the English captain holing out at long-off, Phillips pulled off a stunning diving catch to send back Bethell.
New Zealand looked in the drivers’ seat, having reduced England to 58/4.
But England’s middle and lower order was up to the challenge. Tom Banton (33), Sam Curran (24), Jacks and Ahmed all came up with valuable contributions to take their team to the finish line.
Having absorbed pressure through the innings, Jacks turned the tide in the 18th over, as he took 22 runs off Phillips, New Zealand’s main man up until that point. Ahmed also came up with a cameo of 19 off just seven balls, with the help of two sixes and a four to provide the final flourish.