England boost T20 World Cup semi-final hopes with win over New Zealand at The Gabba | Cricket News

England kept their hopes of making the T20 World Cup semi-finals very much alive with a 20-run win over New Zealand at The Gabba.

Jos Buttler (73 off 47) and Alex Hales (52 off 40) struck half-centuries as England posted 179-6 from their 20 overs before limiting New Zealand – who would have secured a semi-final spot with a win – to 159-6.

Glenn Phillips’ 62 from 36 deliveries came in vain for New Zealand, with Moeen Ali breathing a huge sigh of relief having dropped the in-form batter on 15 at cover as he shelled an absolute dolly off the bowling of Adil Rashid.

England, New Zealand and Australia are all on five points ahead of the final round of Group 1 games, with New Zealand facing Ireland and Australia meeting Afghanistan in Adelaide on Friday before England take on Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday.

Should New Zealand, Australia and England all win as expected, then the top two spots will be decided on net run-rate, although any slip ups could yet see Ireland and Sri Lanka involved in the semi-final shake-up.

England had been dumped out of last year’s T20 World Cup by New Zealand at the semi-final stage after their death bowling flopped but there was no repeat in Brisbane, with Sam Curran conceding only five of the 26 runs New Zealand required from the final over.

More to follow….

What’s next?

England face Sri Lanka in Sydney on Saturday (8am UK time) with New Zealand playing Ireland in Adelaide a day earlier (4am UK time on Friday). Both games are live on Sky Sports Cricket.