ENG beat NZ by 119 runs | England vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 41th ODI Match - Commentary

Jonny Bairstow says that he is disappointed not to have converted his century into a bigger one but is happy to have contributed to the team's cause. On the score, Bairstow is more or less confident that this can be defended and hopes that his bowlers learn from the Kiwis and imply their skills. Adds that cross-seam balls are the ones to go on this wicket and hopes that his team does the same.

Now then 306 is the target! Only once in this World Cup has 300 been chased so which means, this is not going to be easy. New Zealand need to cash in against the new balls and for that, they will need their openers to fire today. Whereas, England know if they do well initially, the game will keep getting difficult for the visitors. Who will be our third Semi Finalists? Join us in a while to find out. For now, the man of the moment, Jonny Bairstow is down giving an interview to Ian Smith.

The New Zealand bowling was not that great to begin with! Their pacers were taken to the cleaners early on. Only Neesham and Boult bowled with some sort of control initially. The former was probably the pick of the bowlers. However, the bowlers did find their lines and lengths after the first of half the innings. Henry came back strongly, Southee and Santner also finished well but the two could have probably put in a better performance. Had that been the case, England might not have even gone past 270.

Earlier in the day, England, after electing to bat, got off to the best starts possible. Their openers were batting at probably the best time to bat on this wicket, they cashed in and Roy and Bairstow added 123. The former once again failed to convert his start, the latter however, continued and built another good partnership with Root. The opener got to yet another ton but wickets of Root and Bairstow in quick succession, turned the tide completely. Runs scoring became very difficult, Buttler's promotion up the order did not work. Stokes could not contribute a lot. Morgan, despite playing 40 balls never looked set and he too fell at the wrong time. However, handy runs from Rashid and Plunkett has taken England to above 300, a score they would still be pleased with.

What a comeback from the Kiwis! England, from 194 for 1 in the 30th over, have finished with 305 for 8. Now that can only mean two things, either the wicket has slowed down quite a lot or it was a combination of both, good bowling and bad batting. New Zealand will dearly hope it is the latter whereas, the hosts will hope it is the former. Whatever it may be, I am not sure which side will be happy heading into the break at the moment.

Tim Southee to Liam Plunkett. On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. ENGLAND ARE 'RESTRICTED' TO 305/8.

Tim Southee to Liam Plunkett. Safe as a house. Full and around middle, pushed through mid-wicket. The batsmen come back for the second and the throw is at the bowler's end. He takes the bails off and appeals and it is referred upstairs but replays show that Archer is well in.

A referral for a run out. The man in question is Archer. Looks to be safe.

Tim Southee to Jofra Archer. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

Just 3 deliveries to go and Jofra Archer comes in at number 10.

Tim Southee to Adil Rashid. OUT! BOWLED! Perfect yorker and Rashid is gone. This is at the base of middle stump, Adil looks to dig it out but the ball swings in, takes the inside edge, hits the boot and then deflects onto the stumps. Finally a wicket for Southee.

Tim Southee to Liam Plunkett. On middle, pushed through wide mid on. Normally, this would be a boundary but on this occasion, Williamson has kept a man exactly at wide long on. Just a run.

Tim Southee to Adil Rashid. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

Tim Southee to bowl the 49th over. 8-0-64-0 so far.

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. One more short ball to end the over, pulled away through mid-wicket for a single. 13 from the over. Henry finishes with figures of 10-0-54-2.

Matt Henry to Liam Plunkett. A top edge this time. Dropped short, around middle, Liam looks to pull but the extra bounce does the trick. Gets the top edge but it lands in no man's land near square leg. A run taken.

Matt Henry to Liam Plunkett. Another short ball, pulled away for a couple.

Matt Henry to Liam Plunkett. FOUR! Finds the gap, finds the boundary! A short ball, around off, Plunkett pulls it through square leg and the ball meets the fence!

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. Outside off, pushed through point for a single.

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. FOUR! A boundary to start off the over. A length ball outside off, Rashid lofts it over cover.

Trent Boult to Adil Rashid. Flicks this away for a couple.

Trent Boult to Adil Rashid. DROPPED! But a tough catch. Full on middle, Rashid looks to loft but the ball hits the toe end of the bat again, like so many of his predecessors. Southee comes running in from long on but the ball moves in the air towards his right and he loses sight of it. In the end, he tries diving to his right but the ball bursts through his hand and goes down. Two runs taken.

Trent Boult to Liam Plunkett. Outside off, Plunkett looks to push but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps towards short fine leg. A run taken.

Trent Boult to Adil Rashid. Outside off, Adil looks to run it down to third man but gets a bottom edge behind. A quick single taken.

Predicto Praky - Just like Indian openers yesterday, the English openers today batted on the best part of the pitch and then the middle order struggled with the slowness.

Trent Boult to Adil Rashid. Full and outside off, Rashid reaches out and looks to go over cover. Ends up skewing it high in the air. Long off runs to his left and sweeper cover runs to his right but cannot get there. Two runs taken.

Trent Boult to Adil Rashid. WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Fine leg gets finer. Boult comes over the wicket to angle it across the right-hander.

Trent Boult to Liam Plunkett. Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a single.

Fine leg back, long on back. What will be the length?

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. Outside off, watchfully defended.

Matt Henry to Liam Plunkett. Outside off, played behind point for a run.

Matt Henry to Liam Plunkett. A short ball outside off, Plunkett looks to pull but misses.

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, AR misses his flick.

Matt Henry to Adil Rashid. Outside off, Rashid steers it down to third man and races back for the second. There is a run out appeal at the keeper's end which is referred upstairs but Adil is well in.

Adil Rashid walks in at number 9, replacing Morgan. Will England be able to bat out their 50 overs?

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. OUT! Superb catch! Morgan departs as well and now, England get into a whirlpool. Another example of the pitch slowing down. Full and outside off, Morgan looks to drive but the slow nature of the pitch causes the ball to hold up. However, the skipper is already through his shot and ends up checking it. The ball goes off the face of the bat over short extra cover but Mitchell Santner over there leaps to his right and takes a stunner behind his body.

Matt Henry is back on. 8-0-36-1 so far.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run. 13 from the over.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Second boundary of the over! England need more of these. A short ball, around off, Morgan swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary!

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Full on middle, driven down the ground through mid on for a couple.

Trent Boult to Liam Plunkett. A short ball, around middle, Plunkett looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. He plays half-pull, half-tuck and ends up getting a top edge. Luckily for him, it lobs over short mid-wicket and does not carry to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. On middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

Mid off drops back now while third man comes up.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Up and just over! Full and outside off, Morgan lofts it over mid off, but seems to mistime it. However, it goes over the fielder and races to the fence.

Trent Boult is back on. 8-0-34-2 so far.

Jimmy Neesham to Liam Plunkett. Around off, solidly defended. Neesham is done with the ball as well - 10-1-41-2.

Liam Plunkett walks in at number 8, replacing Woakes. A couple of balls before, Liam was shadow practicing a lofted shot down the ground on the English balcony.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. OUT! Caught! New Zealand continue to squeeze England out. Another wicket falls. Full and outside off, Woakes looks to drive but the ball holds on the pitch a touch. As a result, he cannot control his shot and checks it. The ball flies off the face of the bat and Kane Williamson at mid off takes second catch of the day.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for just a single.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. Outside off, dabbed to third man for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. Full and around off, Morgan looks to push it through the off side but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and scoots through mid-wicket. Just a run taken.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. Outside off, punched off the back foot through the off side for a single.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Mitchell Santner to Chris Woakes. Pushes this wide of mid off for one more. Santner is done for the day with the ball - 10-0-65-1.

Mitchell Santner to Chris Woakes. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, played through point for a run.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Mitchell Santner to Chris Woakes. Full and around off, worked past Kane Williamson at short mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, chopped down to short third man for a single. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND. How many more can they get in the remaining 40 balls?

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Full and around off, pushed towards the bowler.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. Another jaffa! Good length ball outside off, Chris once again plays inside the line and is beaten by the late away movement as he looks to defend.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. Outside off, on a length, Woakes looks to push it through the off side but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. On middle and leg, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. Full and outside off, driven beautifully but straight to short extra cover.

Jimmy Neesham to Chris Woakes. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, Morgan looks to push it through the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the leg stump towards short fine leg. A single taken.

Chris Woakes comes in at number 7, replacing Stokes.

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. OUT! Caught! The big Ben is gone too! Santner has struck. Full and around middle, 97 kph, Stokes comes down the track and looks to go over the top but does not quite get to the pitch of the ball. The ball hits the toe end of the bat and he holes out to Matt Henry at long on. England continue to lose their way at the death. Will they get to even 300 from here?

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside leg, Morgan gets down and reverse sweeps it through point. But the fielding placement is excellent with Colin de Grandhomme placed at the right place. He quickly gets across to his right, slides and makes a terrific stop. Just a single.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside leg, Morgan looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. No appeal for LBW this time.

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Comes down the track and eases it through mid on for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Pitched outside leg, Stokes looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Santner appeals but then bails out.

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Outside off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. Another quiet over. Just 5 from it.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Comes down the track but Neesham bowls it wide outside off. Ben throws his bat at it and skews it over cover. Two runs taken.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, tapped through point for a run.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Excellent yorker on off, Stokes digs it out to the keeper.

POWERPLAY 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of this innings.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Morgan sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary!

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. On middle, played straight to short mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, Morgan punches it through the covers for a brace.

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Outside off, pushed through the covers for one more.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Full on middle, the skipper comes down the track and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. WIDE. Fires this down the leg side, Morgan cannot connect. The keeper fumbles but the batsmen do not run.

Mitchell Santner to Eoin Morgan. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Mitchell Santner returns. 7-0-49-0 so far.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, driven straight to Santner at extra cover again. It has become pretty quiet out there. Just 26 runs in the last 7 overs. Incidentally, 7 overs before, Bairstow had been dismissed. Can England get to 320 from here?

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, dabbed to third man for one more.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. A short ball, around off, Stokes looks to pull but the ball bounces a shade low and goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A run taken.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. On middle, played straight to short mid-wicket.

Jimmy Neesham to Eoin Morgan. A short ball, punched uppishly, but exactly between cover and point for a single.

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Action replay of the previous delivery. A rare good over from Southee, who has been going north in terms of runs today. 8-0-64-0 so far.

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Landed outside off, Stokes looks to run it down to third man but misses. The ball bounces in front of the keeper.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. A short ball, pulled through square leg for one.

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Outside off, punched through cover for a run.

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Around off, pushed straight to point.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, played through point for a single.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. RUN OUT MISSED! Morgan was gone for all money. Outside off, Stokes pushes it towards mid off and initially sets off for a single. But Mitchell Santner quickly gets across to his left from short extra cover and Stokes sells his captain a dummy down the river. He stops and Morgan has to return. He tries to dive in but is late. Luckily for him, Santner's throw misses the stumps at the bowler's end.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Outside off, pushed towards point.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. That was close. Was it bat first or pad? On a length around off, Stokes looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. The bowler starts to appeal but is not sure whether it was bat first or pad. Replays are inconclusive.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, Stokes drives it straight down the ground but mid off mops it up.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. On middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Jimmy Neesham to Ben Stokes. Full and around off, pushed towards cover.

Jimmy Neesham is back on. 5-0-27-1 so far.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. A short ball around middle, Morgan ducks.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. Around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. This was a lovely shot.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Poor bowling. A short ball, down the leg side, Morgan pulls it to the fine leg fence.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, dabbed behind point where backward point slides to his right and makes a good stop.

Tim Southee is back on. 6-0-52-0 so far.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, Boult's figures read 8-0-34-2. Does Williamson bowl him out here or keep him for the last 4 overs?

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. Full and outside off, Stokes looks to defend but the ball moves away and goes off the outside edge through the vacant slip cordon to third man. A couple taken.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Dropped short, pulled behind square leg for a run.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single.

Ben Stokes comes out to bat now.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. OUT! Caught! Another one departs and the Kiwis keep believing. Full and outside off, Buttler looks to go over the top but the ball hits the toe end of the bat. It goes towards mid off where Kane Williamson swiftly gets across to his right and takes it near his tummy. 3/20 in the last 26 balls. For the first time in the match, New Zealand are in control. Replays show that it was a knuckle ball.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Around off, defended watchfully.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. Good length ball and Morgan plays it back to the bowler.

Matt Henry to Jos Buttler. Buttler clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. Short ball on head height outside off. Morgan pulls it towards square leg for a single.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. Length ball on the middle stump. Morgan blocks it out.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. Drives this straight to mid off.

Matt Henry to Jos Buttler. Full and around off, plays it to mid-wicket for a single.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Another short ball, pulled away for a single.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a run.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Similar shot, this time Morgan gets a single.

Trent Boult to Eoin Morgan. Full and on middle, pushed towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Excellent stop by Martin Guptill! And he has hurt his right shoulder in the process. Superlative effort. Short and outside off, Buttler cuts it hard through point but Guppy dives to his right and half-stops it. Parries it wide of cover and keeps the batsmen to a single.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. Ohh! That's close. Morgan leaves the ball but he probably must have misjudged it as it goes just over the top of the off stump.

Matt Henry to Eoin Morgan. A bouncer to greet the new man, Morgan ducks.

Skipper Eoin Morgan walks in at number 5, replacing Bairstow.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. WICKET! The big wicket is gone! The ball is pitched outside off on a good length, he goes for a off drive through the covers, but instead he chops it on to the leg pole. England lose their third wicket and it is a big wicket. Jonny Bairstow returns to the dugout after a great innings.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Good running. Ball is bowled outside of short a length and JB cuts it to the point region for a couple.

Aslam Bhai (In his native language, translating here) - You know what, I reckon Martin Guptill will score a double hundred. Then Pakistan will go through to the semis. @Aslam - Well, if this does happen, then I am booking an appointment with you after the World Cup ends. Would like to know my future by looking at the crystal ball.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Full length ball bowled well outside off. Jonny Bairstow frees up his arms and drives beautifully through the covers.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Good length ball outside off, pushed to covers for no runs.

DRINKS BREAK. England continue to stay ahead in this game. New Zealand however, have managed to get Root but England still have a lot of batting to come. Also, with Jonny Bairstow on a ton, England will be aiming to double their score. If New Zealand do not take wickets, they will probably be batted out of the game here. An action-packed passage of play waits ahead. Also, Matt Henry is back on.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. 200 UP FOR ENGLAND. A short ball, Buttler pulls it through square leg for a couple.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Short and outside off, JB looks to pull but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his body.

Slip comes out now.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. FOUR! PRISTINE! Buttler is off the mark in style! Full and outside off, Jos leans and drives it through cover-point to get going.

Trent Boult is now given the second official warning for running on the danger area. One more incidence and he will be off for this innings.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Interesting. Jos Buttler has been promoted to number 4, ahead of Morgan.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. OUT! Caught down the leg side! Root has to depart. There is something on Ultra Edge. A short ball, down the leg side, Root looked to pull but missed. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat and Latham appealed as soon as he collected. The umpire raised his finger but Root instantaneously went for the review. Ultra Edge confirms that there was a spike as soon as the ball went past the bat and Root has to depart cheaply today. The 71-run stand has been broken.

We have a review for a caught behind! Root has been adjudged caught down the leg side and New Zealand are confident. Root is confident as well and has referred it upstairs. There was a noise. And Ultra Edge is showing a spike when the ball passes the bat...

Trent Boult comes back on. 5-0-19-0 so far.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! HUNDRED FOR BAIRSTOW! First English player to get two consecutive tons in a World Cup. He is pumped up. Jumps in the air, takes his helmet off and celebrates with a fist pump. Jonny boy is back. Gets to his milestone with a pull behind square leg. Short fine leg runs behind, mid-wicket runs across but neither get there in time!

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Fine shot. A short ball, around middle, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary. A hit away from consecutive WC centuries.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Very full, almost a yorker, but down the leg side. Jonny plays all around it and misses his flick. Is hit on the pads and Southee appeals but umpire Ravi turns it down. Ball Tracker predicts it to be going down leg.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. On a length outside off, Bairstow reaches out and drives it straight to point.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Another short ball. Chest height ball and Root glides the ball to third man for a single. Also brings up 500 runs in this World cup for him.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Punches this back to the bowler.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball on middle stump and JB pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, played with nearly a horizontal bat, towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. SIX! High and handsome! First of the day. Full and outside off, Bairstow gets underneath this and sends it soaring straight back over the bowler's head, right behind the sightscreen. Moves into the 90s.

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Dropped short, going down the leg side, pulled to short fine leg for a run.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Around off, pushed down to mid on for a quick single.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, Bairstow looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length delivery on off, Root taps it towards third man for a run.

Tim Southee back on now! 4-0-36-0 his figures so far.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Three dots in a row! Short and outside off again, Bairstow cuts but finds point.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Another dot! Slower one around off, Jonny guides it to point.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Good length and on off, JB pushes it to covers.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Good length around off, Root guides it down to third man and takes one. 50-run stand up between the two. So they have continued the good work from the openers.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, JB guides it down to third man for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. WIDE! Way too short! Bairstow evades it and it has been wided.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads, this is worked through backward square leg for an easy couple.

A halt in play here! Not sure why! The physio is out as Root seems to be having an issue. Maybe some breathing issue and the physio is seen helping him out. He now seems fine to continue as he is seen wearing his helmet. Also, Ross Taylor goes upto him and asks him if he is fine.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up on off, Root drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Flighted delivery on off, Bairstow punches it towards point for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. OHHH! This is slightly fuller and quicker outside off, Bairstow misreads the length and goes back to play this. He is late in bringing his bat down and the ball just about kisses the off pole.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Looks to play the slog sweep but it goes off the inner half towards fine leg for two.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. DROPPED! A tough chance though! This is flatter and outside off, Root looks to run it down to third man but it goes off the outside edge, hits the outer part of the glove and goes towards short third man for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. A little turn there! This is flatter and on off, it straightens. Bairstow looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards backward point for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. On the pads, this is worked through backward square leg for two.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. On middle, Root pushes it back to the bowler.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. OUCH! That might have hurt! This is on a length and around middle, Bairstow looks to hit it over mid on but does not time it that well. It goes on the bounce to mid on who fails to collect it and it hits him on the chest. It goes away from him and a run is taken.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Shorter and outside off, Root guides it towards point where Guptill dives to his left and stops it but can't save the run.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. This is on middle, Root works it towards mid-wicket.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller and outside off, Bairstow looks to drive but it goes off the outside edge down to third man for one.

Jimmy Neesham is back!

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flighted delivery on middle, Root flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket where the fielder dives to stop it but it goes through him. The batsmen pick up a couple. 11 runs have come from the over.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated delivery on off, Root drives it back towards the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! Nice improvisation from Joe Root. Flighted delivery on off, Root plays a reverse sweep over third man for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flighted delivery on off, Root defends it out.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. 150 up for England.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! A half-tracker and it is put away! Short and on middle, Bairstow goes back quickly and pulls it over mid-wicket and bags a boundary. Santner just has not found his length today, he has bowled atleast one bad ball every over.

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On middle. Root works it to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Good bumper outside off! That was sharp. Bairstow evades it.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. On the fuller side, Bairstow strokes it to mid off.

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Lovely shot! That deserved a boundary but England get one less! Back of a length on off, Root stands tall and pushes it through covers for three.

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length and on off, Root guides it towards gully.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. This is angled into the off pole, JB goes to push it through the off side but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler. So a good comeback after going for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. On the stumps, Bairstow pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. A quick run! This is worked to the left of short fine leg and the batters change ends.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Flatter and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Santner is leaking runs today! This is short again and on middle, Bairstow looks to pull but it goes off the inner half through backward square leg for a boundary.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. On the pads, this is worked to short fine leg.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. This is on the pads, JB works it through mid-wicket for one. Just the two from the over.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. A slower dipping full toss on off, Bairstow hits it to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, Bairstow shoulders his arms to this one.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. On a good length on off, Bairstow defends it off the front foot.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Length delivery on off, Jonny plays it to point.

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On a length on off, Root plays it towards point for a run.

Matt Henry is back into the attack.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. A couple to end! Shorter and on middle, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket for two.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Spoils the over! Slightly short and around off, Bairstow picks the length early and hammers it through mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Almost! This is on the pads, Bairstow looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take two.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length and on off, JB guides it to point.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. On the fuller side on middle, Bairstow hits it towards mid on for no runs.

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Root is underway! This is outside off, Joe strokes it through covers for one. 9 runs but more importantly a wicket from the over.

Jimmy Neesham to Joe Root. Good length and on middle, Root blocks it out.

Joe Root is the new batsman in.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. OUT! TAKEN! Neesham gets the breakthrough. He has the last laugh. It seems like the two short balls were a set-up. He goes fuller this time and it is on off, Roy stays rooted to his crease and looks to drive but ends up playing ahead of his body. It hits the bat and goes straight to Santner at covers. A much-needed wicket for New Zealand as this partnership was probably taking the game away from them. Roy once again fails to convert. New Zealand will hope this is an opening for them.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. FOUR! Too short and Roy dispatches it! It is outside off and it sits up to be hit. Roy pulls it over mid-wicket and gets another boundary.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. FOUR! Picked his spot well! Neesham bangs it short and outside off, Roy knows mid on is in the ring so he flat-bats it over that fielder and bags a boundary.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. Roy makes room and Neesham follows him. Roy looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Tim Southee to Jason Roy. On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. A decent over by Southee.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller and outside off, JB hits it through covers for one.

Tim Southee to Jason Roy. Well fielded! Roy comes down the track and hits it to the left of mid off. The fielder runs there, slides and keeps it down to one.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Slightly fuller around off, this is hit through cover-point for one.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Another one on a length and around off, Bairstow blocks it out.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Good length and on off, this is defended.

Tim Southee is back into the attack.

DRINKS! England going brilliantly at this stage! The platform is laid by the openers for a big score. New Zealand on the other hand, need wickets, not one but two at least. For now, it is difficult to see from where will the wicket come but they need someone to step up. Will England continue the domination after the break or will New Zealand fight back?

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Good length and on off, Bairstow guides it down to third man for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Fifty for Bairstow now! He continues from where he left off against India. He would want to make it big now. He gets a freebie to get there. On the pads, he works this towards backward square leg for two.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. Shorter and around off, Bairstow guides it to point.

Jimmy Neesham to Jonny Bairstow. On the fuller side, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. A single for Roy to get to his half ton! Consecutive ones for him. How dearly England missed him when he was out! He is back in the team and back amongst the runs. He gets there by guiding this past point for one.

Jimmy Neesham to Jason Roy. On the off pole, this is kept out.

Jimmy Neesham is into the attack.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. On the stumps, Roy looks to hit it hard through the off side, it goes off the inner half through mid on for one. A good over by Santner this. New Zealand need a few more like this.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Fires it on the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Flatter and on off, JB pushes it through covers for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Flatter and on middle, this is pushed towards mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Shorter and quicker on off, Roy chops it towards point for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Flatter and on off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Once again a deft touch! This is shorter and just outside off, Bairstow guides it past backward point once again and it races away to the fence. Expensive start for Colin.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jonny Bairstow. On the middle pole, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jason Roy. 100 up for England as Roy eases it down to long off for one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jonny Bairstow. On middle, this is hit down to long on for one. 400 runs for Bairstow in this World Cup.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Deft! Lovely shot! The slightest of width on offer and that was enough. Bairstow just waits for it and then opens the face at the last moment and guides it through backward point for a boundary.

Colin de Grandhomme to Jason Roy. This is on middle, Roy pushes it down to long off for one.

Colin de Grandhomme is into the attack.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Quicker and on middle, this is pushed to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. This is on the pads, Roy works it through square leg for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Comes down the track early, Santner spots that and bowls it short. Roy pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it, Bairstow works it towards mid-wicket for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Another tossed up ball on off, Roy hits it down to long off for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. FOUR! Classic shot from Jason Roy. Tossed up outside off, Roy drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. A single to end a productive over for England. Roy dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He mistimes it to mid off for one.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. On the shorter side, Roy works it through mid-wicket and takes an easy two.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. Good length and on off, Roy keeps it out.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. On the shorter side, Bairstow pulls it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Glorious! Shot of the day probably! Very full and on middle, Bairstow strokes it past mid on with a straight bat and the ball races away to the fence.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. On the fuller side on middle, this is hit to mid on.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Uppish but wide! Santner floats it up again around off, Roy once again opens his hands and gets it over covers for two. 10 runs from the over. Santner has bowled two expensive overs till now.

Mitchell Santner to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller on off, Bairstow hits it down to long off for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. On middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Flatter and on middle, Roy pushes it to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. FOUR! What a shot that is! This is fuller and on off, Roy once again stays leg side of the delivery and just opens his hands at the last moment, lofts it over extra cover and it races to the fence.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. On the fuller side, Roy stays leg side of the ball and hits it wide of long off for two.

Mitchell Santner is back on now!

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Back-to-back good overs for New Zealand! Good length and on off, this is defended out.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Just the single from the over so far! Fuller and on middle, JB works it to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. This is on middle, Bairstow works it to mid-wicket. Another dot!

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Powerplay 2 is signaled. Maximum of 4 fielders can be outside the circle till the 40th over.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. A dot to end Powerplay 1! England have dominated it, it could have been a lot worse for New Zealand but they managed to pull things back a little towards the end. England are 67 for 0. The last ball is a length delivery around off, Bairstow pushes it towards mid off. Cover dives to his right and saves it.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. Good length and on off, this is pushed to mid off. Also, a first official warning for Boult as he runs onto the danger area.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Roy misses out there! He was guilty of going too hard at it. This is a full toss outside off, Roy swings hard but it goes off the inner half to mid on.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Almost plays it on! This is on middle, Roy looks to play it late but ends up chopping it to the keeper.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Slightly fuller and on off, Roy strokes it to covers.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. This is outside off, Roy opens the face and guides it down to third man for one.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. The batsman has driven it through mid on.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Fortune favors the brave and that is exactly the case here! Short and on middle, Roy looks to pull it off the front foot, it goes off the top edge over the keeper for a boundary.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller and on middle, JB works it through mid-wicket for another single.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. Once again it does not come off the middle. Henry rolls his fingers on this delivery and it is on off, Roy once again looks to force it through the off side but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. That seemed to have stuck in the surface! This is outside off and on a length, Roy looks to hit it through the off side but the ball comes off slow from the surface. It goes off the inner half to mid on.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Almost plays it on! This is bowled outside off and it is slightly ahead of a length. Roy goes after it away from the body, it hits the inside edge and goes close past the leg pole, towards the leg side for one.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Around off and on a fuller length, Roy looks to hit it through the off side but it goes off the inner half to mid on.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Goes back to landing it on a length around off, Roy defends it to mid off.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. FOUR! Dismissed! On the shorter side and around off, Roy picks the length early, he goes back and smashes it through mid-wicket. No stopping those.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Another good length ball on off, Roy defends it to point.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. On the fuller side, Bairstow strokes it to mid off for one.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. Roy is not happy with himself! This is on the pads, Roy misses the flick, it hits the pad and rolls to the keeper. He misses out on a boundary there and he knows that.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Slightly fuller this time, Bairstow pushes it towards mid on and gets to the other end.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Back of a length on middle, JB defends it to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Down the leg side, Bairstow lets it be and it has been wided.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller and on off, Bairstow strokes it to mid off.

Matt Henry to Jonny Bairstow. Once again a little too straight, Bairstow works it through mid-wicket for a brace. 50 up for England.

Matt Henry to Jason Roy. Roy uses his feet but Henry bangs it shorter in length. Roy pushes it towards mid on for one.

Matt Henry is into the attack.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. A dot to end a good over by Boult! Just the boundary from it. New Zealand need a few more like this. Back of a length on middle, Jonny keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. Goes back to bowling length and lands it around off, JB stands tall and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Overpitches and pays the price! Full and outside off, Bairstow nonchalantly lofts it over covers and finds the boundary. So New Zealand are bowling one bad ball per over which England are taking full toll off.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. Good length and on off, JB pushes it firmly but straight to covers.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. Another good-looking drive! This is fuller and around off, Jonny pushes it to mid off.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow. Lovely delivery! This lands on off and it angles away. Bairstow goes back and tries to defend but it beats the outside edge of the bat.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. A single now as Bairstow works it through square leg for one. Another huge over. 13 from it.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! New Zealand are just not sure where to bowl at the moment! They are under serious pressure. Southee goes short but it won't trouble Bairstow at his pace. Jonny goes back and hammers it over square leg for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Just over! Back-to-back boundaries! Full and outside off, Bairstow lofts it over the cover-point fielder who stretches his hand upwards, it goes over him and a boundary results.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Too straight and it is easy for Bairstow! This is fuller and on the pads, Jonny clips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. On off this time and it is on a length. JB works it with the angle to mid on.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. This is on middle, Bairstow pushes it to mid on.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. BEATEN! This is bowled full and outside off, Roy goes after it away from his body but does not connect.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. A wild swing there! This is outside off, Roy looks to heave it on the leg side, it goes off the inner half towards square leg.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. FOUR LEG BYES! Poor ball and Boult pays the price! This is down the leg side. Roy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and races to the fine leg fence. England are off to a flier here.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Good stop! Slightly shorter and outside off, Roy goes after it. The ball goes off the under edge towards first slip where Guptill sticks his hand out and stops it.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. This is outside off, Roy guides it past the diving point fielder for a brace.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Back of a length on middle, Roy defends it onto the ground.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. A couple to end! So three good overs in a row for England ! This is around off, it shapes away late. Bairstow looks to push at it but does so inside the line. The ball goes off the outside edge down to third man. Boult runs to his left, slides and stops it.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Gets his line right this time and attacks the stumps, Bairstow defends it onto the ground.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! It is raining boundaries here! Consecutive ones for Jonny Bairstow. Once again there is room on offer and it is outside off. JB hits it through covers, off the front foot this time and it races away.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Too much width on offer and Bairstow pounces on it. He opens his account with a boundary as well. Short and outside off again, Jonny pushes it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. On the shorter side again and outside off, JB looks to cut but ends up mistiming it to covers.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. On the shorter side on middle, Bairstow works it to mid-wicket.

Just the single over for Santner. Tim Southee is into the attack. Can he make an impact straightaway?

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. A couple to end another good over for England! Back of a length on off, Roy stands tall and pushes it through covers for two.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. FOUR! Roy is dealing in boundaries! A slower one and it is fuller in length on the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket and it races away. Not sure why Boult bowled that! He is getting swing out there so why go for the slower one.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. On the shorter side this time and this is angled away. Roy goes back and keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Lovely shot and well fielded! This is on off and fuller in length. No swing this time, Roy hits it through the line to the right of mid off where the fielder dives to his right and saves it.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. Another appeal, this time for caught behind but it is off the pads! Down the leg side, Roy looks to flick but misses. It brushes his pads and goes to the keeper.

Trent Boult to Jason Roy. A huge, huge shout by Boult! But the umpire is unmoved. A good start for Boult. He starts on middle and then gets it to tail back in. Roy looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. Going down leg.

Trent Boult to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. A single to end a very good first over for England. This is on the pads, Roy works it through mid-wicket for one.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Slower through the air this time and it lands on off, Roy pushes it with the turn to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. FOUR! A gift! A full toss outside off, Roy just needs to find the gap. He does so as he hits it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Flatter again and on middle, Roy slaps it to point.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. Floats it up on the stumps, this is pushed to covers.

Mitchell Santner to Jason Roy. FOUR BYES! What a start that is! A brilliant delivery! This is flatter and it starts on off, Roy goes back and looks to cut but the ball keeps drifting in. Roy misses, it goes past the leg pole, the keeper fails to collect it and it goes to the fine leg fence.

Done and dusted with the National Anthems. We are all set to begin. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy will open the batting for England. We have a surprise here. It is Mitchell Santner who will start the proceedings for New Zealand.

It is time for the National Anthems! Both the teams make their way out to the middle. New Zealand will sing their first and then England will have their chance.

NEW ZEALAND (PLAYING XI) - Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (IN FOR LOCKIE FERGUSON), Matt Henry (IN FOR ISH SODHI), Trent Boult.

ENGLAND (UNCHANGED PLAYING XI) - Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says they wanted to bat too, the surface is expected to stay good though and he hopes they can restrict England to a low total. Informs they have two changes, Southee and Henry come in for Sodhi and Ferguson. Further adds Ferguson has been outstanding so he is a big miss, it is just a hamstring niggle so hope he gets fine soon. States Southee has always been good for them and he hopes he can make an impact.

England skipper, Eoin Morgan, says the pitch and overhead conditions are why they want to bat first, it seems to get slower in the second half as the pitches have not been as good as they have been before. States it is a fantastic game for them, a lot is at stake, it is like a quarter final, they are trying their best and they are giving it their all. Mentions the India win was a big confidence booster and the mood in the dressing room is fine. Further adds every game they play is a chance to show how far they have come after their defeat against New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup, the Kiwis are a strong side and hopefully they come out on top.

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favor of Eoin Morgan. ENGLAND WILL BAT FIRST!

We are at the end of the group stages and we are yet not sure as to who will be the top 4 playing the knockout games. We have two teams, India and Australia but two spots are still vacant. Today, we surely will be figuring out who the third semi finalist will be as England lock horns with New Zealand. The equation is simple, the side winning today confirms its spot in the semi final. A lot at stake so both the teams will be giving it their all. A cracking encounter can be expected. Stay tuned for the toss and teams.