Wisden

The independent voice of cricket

LIVE SCORES
T20 World Cup 2021

England v New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final live updates: Score, commentary and where to watch on TV and live streaming | ENG vs NZ

by Rohit Sankar 15 minute read
The live blog is being updated in real time. Please refresh page for new updates.

Welcome to Wisden’s match blog for the live coverage of the England v New Zealand T20 World Cup 2021 fixture – follow this space for live updates from the first semi-final being played in Abu Dhabi, including commentary and score, along with where to watch details: TV channels, broadcast and live streaming for Eng vs NZ.

England vs New Zealand: Live Scorecard, Prediction And Stats

New Zealand through to the finals. England knocked out.

bet365

Over to Australia against Pakistan in the other high-profile semi-final tomorrow. Till then, it’s a bye from us.

Eoin Morgan: “I can’t fault anything that we’ve done tonight”

He’s right. England did the best they could with what they had. In hindsight, they probably needed one over of Mark Wood for the death overs with Chris Woakes’ record in that phase very average. But, I don’t think it would have changed the result. New Zealand just executed their plans better and didn’t panic despite the start they had.

Phew, that was exhilarating. New Zealand were behind the eight-ball by so much that catching up seemed nigh impossible. How things change around in this format! In the last 10 overs they have pulled off a spectacular heist. 57 runs came off the last three overs! That’s outstanding batting and credit goes to Neesham for a brilliant, brilliant cameo.

New Zealand win by five wickets!!!

New Zealand have their revenge and they have knocked England out of the T20 World Cup with a heist for the ages. Sensational stuff. Ridiculously good comeback out of nowhere inspired by James Neesham’s extraordinary cameo. I am not sure what to make of that Mitchell knock. He put New Zealand on the brink of a loss with his slow start, but turned it around spectacularly in the end.

Update: MITCHELL HAS DONE IT! IT’S TWO SIXES IN A ROW

Over 17: NZ 147-5 – It’s happening and New Zealand are back in this out of nowhere

Sensational over for the Kiwis, although they lose an ultra-aggressive Neesham off the last ball. England had to bowl Adil Rashid in one of these death overs and Neesham and Mitchell capitalise with a six apiece. The equation is now 20 runs from 12 balls. Very much New Zealand’s game this now despite Neesham’s wicket off the last ball.

Update: 23 runs off that Jordan over. Are New Zealand back in this?

Over 16.4: NZ 130-4 – All chaos and drama

James Neesham against England bowlers in the death – we have seen how that goes before. Neesham appeared to be in good touch today again. He just clubbed Jordan for a six and a four before nearly getting another six, only to be stopped by a tag team effort in the deep. It looks like a sensational catch, but is it? No, Bairstow has touched the ropes while flicking the ball over to his teammate. It is a six! Hugely expensive over from Jordan so far.

Over 16: NZ 110-4 – A Livingstone marvel

Another wicket for Livingstone in this over, Phillips this time, and England are bossing this now with their part-time spinner. Livingstone has been brilliant with the ball. A sensational over for Livingstone, who leaks just three runs. He completes his spell with figures of 2-22 in four overs.

Over 13.4: NZ 95-3 – Livingstone gets the breakthrough

Not sure if breakthrough is the right word given how these two approached this run chase, but England have a wicket and it’s down to some brilliant bowling from Liam Livingstone. After mixing up his variations, Livingstone now cleverly anticipated Conway stepping put and threw a wide one to help effect a stumping.

Over 12: NZ 80-2 – Brilliant from Livingstone

The move to use Liam Livingstone ahead of Moeen Ali is proving to be a masterstroke. The spinner has mixed up his off- and leg-breaks very cleverly to tie down Conway in particular. New Zealand would be frustrated to not get more out of Livingstone’s overs.

Update: An expensive 15-run over from Mark Wood has given New Zealand’s innings some much-needed push. They need a few of these back-to-back to avoid too much pressure in the death overs.

Over 10: NZ 58-2 – Conway and Mitchell struggling

These two are really struggling to time the ball and a sign from the crowd says “there is no Super Over this time” and you know what, he might be right. Mitchell has struggled big time, and with the pressure on him, Conway hasn’t quite been able to strike well either. I still think he remains key if New Zealand are to chase these runs down. The sooner Phillips gets in to replace Mitchell, the better.

Over 8: NZ 45-2 – What do we make of the Mitchell move?

New Zealand have used Daryl Mitchell at the top whole tournament with the move being to break up their stream of anchors at the to also have left-handers for the middle overs against spin. But Mitchell hasn’t quite thrived so to say and the returns haven’t quite justified his move up the top, especially as he hasn’t looked to attack much. Phillips in for this phase would have been perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 6: NZ 36-2 – A good end to the powerplay for Blackcaps

Conway is their designated spin hitter which is why he made the move to the middle-order this tournament with Mitchell at the top. He hit Rashid for two fours in the final over of the powerplay to restore some of the lost momentum. Six runs per over at the end of the powerplay. Conway will be key if New Zealand are to chase this down. It’s right up his alley, I think.

Update: Adil Rashid for the last over of the powerplay with New Zealand ambling along at just over five runs per over.

Most wickets in the powerplay in the 2021 T20 World Cup

Chris Woakes: 6

Josh Hazlewood: 6

Mujeeb ur Rahman: 6

Update: Woakes gets rid of Kane Williamson, and the good start has turned into excellent. England’s discipline with the ball forced that ramp and the wicket.

Over 2: NZ 11-1 – Good start for England

Chris Jordan partnered Woakes with the new ball. He has been good in the powerplay this tournament with his ability to keep the scoring rate down (economy of just 4.5 in the powerplay in four overs). New Zealand will want Mitchell to activate his gears early to avoid the innings going the England way.

Over 0.3: NZ 4-1 – Chris Woakes strikes early

England find an early wicket with Martin Guptill in ultra-aggressive mode. He tried to flick one and gets a leading edge that goes in the air straight at Moeen Ali.

End of innings: Eng 166-4 – Do England have enough?

Not really sure England would be too happy with that total. The dew around will mean bowling spin won’t be easy in the second half of the innings. New Zealand should fancy chasing this down. It’s definitely not beyond them.

Update: Fifty for Moeen Ali shortly after Livingstone holed out.

Over 19: Eng 155-3 – 25 off the last two overs

England would have probably liked more from that penultimate over from Trent Boult. Just nine runs off it, but the 16-run over off Milne before that means they still have 25 from the last two overs. They will probably feel safer with 170 on board with all the dew around.

Update: A 16-run over off Milne and England looking to target the death overs now with a strong base.

Over 17: Eng 130-3 – Moeen v Sodhi

Sodhi tried to double bluff Moeen in that over. He went full on the leg-side to counter his plan of taking one step to the off-side. But Moeen sensed it to step out and straight and pummeled him for six. Sodhi persisted with it and then switched over to wide line to confuse Moeen. 11 runs off the over, but just five off five balls if you omit the six. Again good stuff from the Kiwis to sneak in a Sodhi over for just one six to these two.

Sodhi is in now and the wide line tactic is likely to continue against Livingstone too.

Over 16: Eng 119-3 – Kiwis nailing bowling plans to Moeen

There’s a clear plan to deny Moeen anything on the leg side. Williamson brought in the deep square leg when Moeen got on strike and sent third man back. Southee, like Sodhi did earlier, just bowling wide lines to Moeen.

Update: Six and out! Malan nicks Southee to the wicketkeeper after pulling a short ball for six. Good, persistent planning from the Kiwis there. Southee wasn’t deterred with the short ball pulled for six and stuck to the length.

Over 15: Eng 110-2 – Boult back in and England just find enough runs

New Zealand aren’t going to help England in any way with their bowling changes. Boult in to apply the squeeze more. This is excellent from Williamson too. The easier option would have been to just try and squeeze in one of Santner, Neesham or Phillips here. But he gets Boult in to try and stifle Malan and Moeen more.

No Santner yet, it’s Milne continuing with the short ball plan. The other issue with that is it leaves New Zealand with fewer death bowling options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 13: Eng 94-2 – Sodhi in and England take nine off it

New Zealand finally (forced to) risk Sodhi against the lefties. The plan was to keep Malan on strike as much as possible, but when Moeen did come on strike, Sodhi threw it wide outside off-stump to avoid his arc. Off that last ball, though, Moeen was smart to take one step to the off-side to counter the wide line and smashed a cut for four to redeem the over.

Update: New Zealand throw Sodhi in now to tempt one of these two to slog out.

Over 12: Eng 85-2 – Still no sign of the spinners

Sodhi has two overs left, Santner three, but there’s no sign of them yet. New Zealand know that they cannot bowl these two to Moeen Ali, especially. Adam Milne has been trusted with the enforcer role to try and get into Malan and Moeen’s short ball weakness. England’s run rate isn’t high, but New Zealand’s death bowling isn’t too great either and with their spin plan handicapped, England have a good base to really launch themselves in the last eight overs.

Fascinating what England having two left-handers together has done to New Zealand’s bowling plans. Glenn Phillips, an off-spinner, is on now, and England have forced Santner and Sodhi into the latter half of the innings. Terrific strategies all around. This why I love T20s.

Over 10: Eng 67-2 – New Zealand bring in Neesham to not feed the left-handers

James Neesham came in to avoid the spinners, who both turn the ball right to left, bowling to the lefties. He nearly had Malan with Conway dropping an outside edge. It’s a huge bonus over, despite the last ball boundary and the dropped catch, for New Zealand nevertheless. Neesham, their sixth bowling option, leaks just seven in his first over.

Moeen Ali in, making it two lefties to counter the two spinners who turn the ball into the left-handers.

Update: Sodhi strikes and Buttler is trapped in front. Massive, massive wicket for the Blackcaps. Buttler missed the reverse sweep and was caught right in front. Sodhi doesn’t strike in his first over, but does with the first ball of his second over.

Over 8: Eng 53-1 – Buttler vs Santner

This is the battle I was waiting to watch and Buttler used the reverse sweep to counter him a couple of times. The first went for a boundary while the second went straight to the fielder. The pressure is on England to take on one of these spin twins and the onus could fall on Buttler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I say the Santner choke, this is what I mean. Santner has an economy rate of 5.1 in the 7-11 overs phase this T20 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, he has bowled the bulk of his overs (10 out of 18 overs this tournament) in that phase.

Over 6: Eng 40-1 – Who is the happier team?

I reckon New Zealand will be quite pleased with that powerplay although they’d have probably liked to see the back of Buttler too. England haven’t gotten away with their scoring rate yet, and Dawid Malan, who takes time to settle in is in right when Mitchell Santner is known to apply his choke. This should be a very interesting phase with Buttler likely to try and take on the spinners given Malan’s struggles against them.

Over 5.1: Eng 37-1 – Milne strike first ball

Adam Milne has struck with his first ball and it’s a brilliant Kane Williamson catch at mid-off that sends back Bairstow early. The replays are being checked and the soft signal is out. Out it is. Timely wicket for the Kiwis just before the powerplay ended.

It’s a third over for Southee upfront and Bairstow starts off with a boundary down the ground.

Time for Santner?

Buttler has been dismissed thrice and strikes at just 117 against left-arm orthodox spinners in T20Is since 2020.

More updates: Five wides conceded by an angry Boult as he looks to give Buttler a bumper. This over might just be the start of England moving through their gears.

Update: Back-to-back fours from Buttler against Boult, and it looks like he wants to start off England’s party here. A slowish start for Bairstow so far, but we know what he can do.

Over 3: Eng 13-0 – England and the powerplay

England have the second-best team strike rate (before today) in the powerplay overs this T20 World Cup after India, who arguably faced easier teams, so to speak. Buttler has been the more aggressive of the two openers (the other being Roy) so far. I think he might prefer playing second-fiddle if Bairstow takes off here.

Boult in the powerplay since 2020 in all T20s

Wickets: 28

Economy: 6.67

Average: 21.1

Boult it is. He loves bowling in the powerplay and has 28 wickets in the first six overs since 2020 in all T20s, the second-most for any bowler.

Over 1: Eng 6-0 – Swing for Southee

Southee got some swing through the air early on in that over, and even had Buttler reaching out for one to play and miss. Very interesting over and Trent Boult will be itching to get the ball in his hands. Santner can be a good option too given that these players like pace on the ball early on. But surely, with the swing around, it should be Boult.

The anthems are on and we are minutes away from the action. The air seems pretty tense all around. The stakes are high and these teams will have the 2019 World Cup final somewhere in the back of their minds. Kane Williamson leading the team out with Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow fist-bumping on their way out. This should be some game!

New Zealand’s premier quicks

Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been in riveting form this tournament. Boult has 11 wickets, the most for any quick, while Southee has the best economy rate (5.7) for any quick to bowl a minimum of 20 overs this tournament.

Right then, Morgan confirms England will open with Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler. Sam Billings replaces Roy in the XI and will slot into the middle-order. This should be interesting. Will Buttler play second-fiddle to Bairstow or will the two tee off together?

Toss update: NZ win the toss and will bowl first

My colleague, Aadya Sharma, reports that it is pretty windy in Abu Dhabi with the pitch lush green. Yum! That should make for a really good contest. He is keen on watching Ish Sodhi bowl. Given the view, I wouldn’t complain, but the conditions could be very Boult-y.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two teams…again

Another World Cup, another knockout clash between England and New Zealand. The last time this happened, we had an edge-of-the-seat humdinger that transcended ordinary matches and stepped into the realm of dreamy folklore, in the World Cup final no less. This time, we are in the knockouts again, and the last time these teams met in limited-overs cricket, we had another Super Over — no, not that one! — in Auckland in the decider of a bilateral series.

T20 World Cup 2021 England vs New Zealand: Preview

Date: November 10, 2021

Time: 6 pm local time

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

England topped their group, with four wins in five games. New Zealand on the other hand were placed second, but they too ended with four wins in their group.

T20 World Cup 2021 New Zealand squad: Full team list of NZ

England: Injury update and squad news

Injury updates: English opener Jason Roy was ruled out after getting injured while running against South Africa. He is replaced by James Vince in the squad.

Probable XI: Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

T20 World Cup 2021 England squad: Full team list of Eng Unchanged: T20 World Cup 2021 England squad: Full team list of Eng

New Zealand: Injury update and squad news

The few niggles that the New Zealand players had through the tournament have largely been sorted out. They will look to field their strongest line-up in this important game.

Injury updates: The few niggles that the New Zealand players had through the tournament have largely been sorted out. They will look to field their strongest line-up in this important game.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

T20 World Cup 2021 New Zealand squad: Full team list of NZ Unchanged: T20 World Cup 2021 New Zealand squad: Full team list of NZ

T20 World Cup 2021 England vs New Zealand: Where to watch live

Watch the England New Zealand semi final live here:

India: Star Sports Network: Star Sports 1 (and HD), Star Sports 2 (and HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (and HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu and Star Sports 1 Kannada

Start time 7.30 pm (IST)

UK & Ireland: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Mix; Sky Sports app, www.skysports.com

Start time 2 pm (BST)

New Zealand:  Sky Sport 3; Skysportnow.co.nz & skygo.co.nz

Start time: 3 am (NZDT)

Sign up to bet365 to be entered into a draw for the chance to win a Wisden Hoodie, terms and conditions apply, more information here. 18+ begambleaware.org

Have Your Say

Become a Wisden member

  • Exclusive offers and competitions
  • Money-can’t-buy experiences
  • Join the Wisden community
  • Sign up for free
LEARN MORE
Latest magazine

Get the magazine

12 Issues for just £39.99

SUBSCRIBE