Mitchell Santner (L) and Ish Sodhi.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks’ rapid 44-run partnership turned the game as England chased down a target of 160 with three balls to spare to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights.
England, who had already qualified for next week’s semi-finals, topped Group Two by winning all three of their games.
New Zealand must wait for the result between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Sunday morning (NZT) to see if they advance to the last four.
Pakistan need to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase down a target in around 13.1 overs to deny the Black Caps a place in the semi-finals.
Black Caps and England players.
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“It was on a bit of a knife edge and I’m over the moon,” said player of the match Jacks, who took two wickets before scoring a quickfire 32.
New Zealand chose to bat first and although Jofra Archer bowled a maiden first over, openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen picked up 54 runs in the powerplay.
The English spinners reined back the 2021 finalists, however, with Adil Rashid getting Seifert (35) stumped and Allen (29) falling to Jacks four balls later.
New Zealand did not hit a boundary between the 13th and 17th overs, as Rashid (2-28) dismissed Mark Chapman (15) and Daryl Mitchell (3) fell to Liam Dawson.
Tim Seifert.
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Glenn Phillips made a rapid 39 and Cole McConchie (14) added late runs before captain Mitchell Santner hit a six off the last ball to get New Zealand to 159-7.
England snatch it late
New Zealand started well, Matt Henry bowling a perfect delivery to get Phil Salt (2) caught behind, before Lockie Ferguson dismissed Jos Buttler for a duck.
With England reeling at 2-2, captain Harry Brook set about stabilising the innings with Jacob Bethell.
They added 48 runs for the third wicket before Brook, fresh from his brilliant hundred against Pakistan, fell for 26 trying to hit Phillips over long off.
Bethell (21) pulled Ravindra to deep mid-wicket, where Phillips dived forward to take a spectacular low catch and leave England in trouble at 58-4.
New Zealand player celebrate a wicket.
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Tom Banton and Sam Curran kept England in the game with a solid partnership before the latter holed out.
Rachin Ravindra (3-19) found sharp turn and had Banton (33) caught at mid-wicket, leaving England needing 43 to win from the last three overs.
Rehan (19) and Jacks hit Phillips for a six each to pick up 22 runs from the 18th over and they closed out the victory with ease.
Henry in doubt
Meanwhile, the in-form Henry is in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.
Photo: ISHARA S. KODIKARA
The 34-year-old was to return home immediately after the game for the birth of him and his wife’s second child.
In a statement, the Black Caps said Henry “might” return to the tournament.
Head coach Rob Walter was supportive of the new ball bowler’s departure.
“Firstly, we’re all very excited for Matt and Holly on the arrival of their second child,” Walter said.
“It’s a very significant moment for their family and we’re wishing them all the best.
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge but we’re hopeful that the stars align for the team and for Matt and that we’ll see him back competing in the final phases of the competition.”
– Reuters, with additional reporting from RNZ