England captain Eoin Morgan praised Jonny Bairstow’s “match-winning” century after the opener’s 106 guided England to a crucial 119-run victory over New Zealand in Durham, which sealed their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Bairstow and Jason Roy (60) put on a magnificent 123 for the first wicket to get England off to yet another fast start at Chester-le-Street. It was Bairstow’s eighth ton in ODI cricket, which moved him up to sixth on the list of highest run-scorers in the tournament with 462. However, England were pulled back by a collapse of 6-78 in the latter-middle-over period, thanks to tight bowling from Jimmy Neesham (2-41) and Matt Henry (2-54).
“We were outstanding today,” said Morgan. “It started with the two boys at the top laying a solid platform – Jonny’s hundred was match-winning. The wicket changed after the 25th over – every batsman after that found it difficult, but runs on the board at that stage was encouraging.”
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England have won every match in the tournament when batting first, but have succumbed to three losses when being asked to chase. Morgan knows his side’s strength and intends on sticking to the tactics that have worked best for his side.
“We can do both (bat and bowl first). All the wickets have got slower and lower throughout, and if it continues we will continue to bat first. I think the manner we’ve displayed in the last two games has been the identity we’ve been working to for the last four years. We hope to produce that aggressive, positive energy.”
INNINGS: England finish on 305-8 at Durham, thanks to another hundred from Bairstow (106) and contributions Roy (60) and Morgan (42). Neesham (2-41), Henry (2-54) and Boult (2-56) the pick of the bowlers for @BLACKCAPS.
Scoreboard ? #ENGvNZ #CWC19 https://t.co/pW3XiHRn7A pic.twitter.com/OJnWohlSKC
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 3 July 2019
In reply, New Zealand never looked like chasing the target once Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls fell cheaply to continue the Kiwi’s top-order woes in the tournament. The run-out of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were key moments before Mark Wood (3-34) put in another excellent display in combination with similarly tight spells from Jofra Archer and Liam Plunkett, as the Black Caps were bowled out for 186.
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Jonny Bairstow also scored a hundred against India on Sunday[/caption]
Meanwhile, a delighted Bairstow expressed his joy at his successful opening combination with Roy, which is proving crucial to the dynamics of England’s batting.
“Really pleased, we knew these were must-win games,. The performances in a couple of games hadn’t been quite up to scratch,” said the 29-year-old. “On a different day we could have been bowling first, but the guys applied themselves pretty well.
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“Batting with Jason for a period of time helps. You understand each other’s games and moods. NZ are a class side, so we needed to put in a performance today, and we’re pleased to do that after a tough few weeks.”
“A couple of days off, a few days to get away and rest up after two gruelling games. We’ve given ourselves an opportunity.”
