May 11: England proved there was more to their batting than Kevin Pietersen as they knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket win here on Monday.
Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66/4 at the Beausejour Stadium.
But, together with Luke Wright, who made 24, the former Ireland left-hander swung the game back England’s way in a stand of 52 in just more than six overs.
Morgan got out just before the finish but man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan, unbeaten on 23 after taking one wicket for 20, ended the contest with five balls to spare when he pulled Kyle Mills for four.
England, already through to the semi-finals before this final Group E match even started, after defending champions Pakistan beat South Africa earlier in the day, ended the Super Eights with a perfect played three won three record.
They will now face the runners-up in Group F in the first semi-final here on Thursday.
England’s victory also meant Pakistan went through to the semi-finals as group runners-up after edging New Zealand on superior run-rate.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori blamed repeated batting failures for his side’s exit.
“There were a number of factors (in losing this match), 150 was competitive but about 10 below par,” Vettori said.
“We did well to fight back but Morgan and Wright’s partnership took it away from us. We could have bowled better. We just haven’t been able to put enough runs on the board.”
Meanwhile Bresnan was delighted by his all-round display. “I’ve definitely got two strings to my bow and I do like batting at the end when I can play my shots. As long as you bowl the ball in the right spot, it’s hard for the batsman.”
England had won their previous matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the back of Pietersen fifties.
But they had to do without their star batsman after Pietersen, who expects to be back for the semi-finals, was given temporary leave to attend the birth of his first child, a boy, which took place in London on Monday.
England made a rousing start to their run chase with Craig Kieswetter, like Pietersen and Michael Lumb born in South Africa, launching Nathan McCullum’s off-spin for a four and a huge six in successive balls as 13 runs came off the first over.
But England then lost Kieswetter when the wicketkeeper struck Kyle Mills hard but straight to Nathan McCullum at cover-point.
Lumb on drove the express pace of Shane Bond for a huge six and twice swept left-arm spinner Vettori for four.
Ravi Bopara, Pietersen’s stand-in, made just nine before he was well caught in the covers by Ross Taylor off all-rounder Scott Styris for nine.
The 60/2 became 60/3 when Lumb was plumb lbw for 32, made off 21 balls with a six and four fours, after he missed a sweep against Vettori.
England’s collapse continued to 66/4 when Collingwood was deceived by a Styris slower ball and clipped straight to Brendon McCullum at midwicket.
— AFP