England shatter Kiwis dream to reach World T20 fi

NEW DELHI: England defeated New Zealand by seven wickets with 17 balls remaining to qualify for the final of the World Twenty20 here at Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Wednesday night.Chasing a daunting target of 154, England made 159 for three in 17.1 overs when Jos Buttler struck the winning six off Mitchell Santner to deep midwicket to end the New Zealand’s winning streak in the tournament and shattered their hopes of reaching the final for the first time in the World T20.Buttler remained not out on 32 which he made off 17 balls with three towering sixes and two fours while his partner Joe Root scored an unbeaten 27.However, the main architect of England’s victory was opener Jason Roy who top scored with 78. His 44-ball innings was laced with eleven fours and two sixes.Roy provided a sound start of 82 with Alex Hales (20) and then 38 with Root before being bowled out by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who then trapped captain Eoin Morgan leg-before off the very next ball. ‘Earlier, New Zealand being sent into bat, made 153 for eight with Colin Munro (46), Kane Williamson (32) and Corey Anderson (28) were their main scorers.After Martin Guptill was dismissed for 15, Corey Anderson and Munro added 74 for the second wicket stand.No other Kiwi batsman could get into the double-figures as England seamer Ben Stokes claimed three wickets for 26.England will play the final at Kolkata on Sunday against the winners of the second semi-finals, to be held between India and West Indies at Mumbai on Thursday.’