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England smash Kiwis to book semi-final spot

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3rd July, 2019
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England sealed their place in the World Cup semi-finals, as Jonny Bairstow’s second successive century fired them to a dominant 119-run win over New Zealand.

England qualified for the semi-finals for the first time in 27 years with the win over the Kiwis, who are also effectively heading to the playoffs despite a third straight loss.

Jonny Bairstow’s second consecutive century powered the hosts to 8-305 after electing to bat at the Riverside Ground, Durham.

Bairstow smashed 106 off 99 balls and stitched together a 123-run opening stand with Jason Roy (60) before a middle-order collapse opened the door for their opponents.

But in reply, New Zealand lost their openers cheaply before two run-outs effectively derailed their chase as they were all out for 186 in 45 overs with only Tom Latham (57) offering some resistance with the bat.

Little more than a week after defeat to Australia left them fighting for their tournament lives, Eoin Morgan’s England are now making plans for their first appearance in the last four since 1992.

They are now guaranteed to finish third in the table and will face either Australia or India at Edgbaston on Thursday.

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Skipper Morgan said he thought his side were “outstanding” in their victory over the Black Caps.

“I thought we were outstanding today,” he told Sky TV.

“It started again with the two boys at the top of the order laying a good solid platform playing in the way that they do and I thought Jonny (Bairstow) going on to get 100 was match winning today.

“It really was outstanding.”

New Zealand have not qualified for the semis yet but, given their superior run rate, Pakistan would need a freak result against Bangladesh on Friday to leapfrog the Black Caps.

© AAP

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