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T20 World Cup | Semi-Final | ENG vs NZ: Settled Kiwis look for redemption against injury-ridden English unit

Abhishek Singh

Flashbacks run across everyone’s mind with Ian Smith in the commentary box screaming at the top of his voice. An incredible finish to the main game and then a tied Super Over made the 2019 World Cup Final an exceptional game, one that is difficult to forget. But it is never going to be the same again as boundary counts no more decide the fate of the game even when Super Overs remain tied. Instead, now teams are going to be put back in the field again and again in the Super Over till one of the sides are truly and deservingly declared the winners. 

And what better occasion could the Blackcaps have asked for than to face the English counterparts in an ICC event knockout game two and half years later to redeem themselves of the ghosts of the Lord’s that has been following them since June 2019. 

Come November 10th, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium would be lit up to welcome the two of the biggest contenders for the T20 World Cup who have put up brilliant performances in the Super 12 stages and will fight one more time to remain alive to seek the ultimate glory. 

What's at stake?

Everything is at stake for both the teams who are searching for success in the shortest format of the game. To be fair, England have had the privilege to be the champions in the T20Is as well as in the ODIs and hence it is the Kiwis who have a lot at stake for them. Right from the 2015 World Cup, they have made it to all ICC tournaments’ semi-final stage at least (except the 2017 Champions Trophy), but haven’t been able to lift the trophy until recently in the inaugural World Test Championship. 

Along with the possibility of reaching the finals, for England, their reputation of being the fiercest side in the T20 format is also at stake. Having been defeated by the South Africans in an inconsequential game, it was a warning enough for them to remain grounded in the competition. Hence, Eoin Morgan and men would be wary of what’s to come and not get ahead of themselves just because of their reputation in the format. 

What needs to change?

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner being out of touch is not a good sign and given the number of right-handers in the English batting unit at the top, it might be a great ploy for Kane Willaimson to get him early in the attack and force both Buttler and Bairstow to make some errors in judgement. 

For England, Dawid Malan’s form has been a cause of concern. It isn’t that bad that you can drop him, but he is not playing the match-winning innings expected from him either, making it very tough for the selectors and skipper Morgan to take a call on him. But given the gravity of the situation, Moeen Ali could be promoted at number three, also to tackle the leg-spin and the left-arm spin of Ish Sodhi and Santner respectively. 

England vs New Zealand: Match Details

Match Number - 42, Semi-Final

Date and Time: November 10, 2021, 07:30 pm IST, 06:00 pm Local, 02:00 pm GMT

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Broadcast and Livestream: Star Sports and Hotstar

Pitch Report

It has been informed to both parties that pitch strip number seven would be used for this special game. The seventh strip is the central wicket and boundaries therefore would remain long and far even though the ground has been witness to long sixes over the course of the tournament. 

Mohan Singh, the chief curator of the wicket died in mysterious circumstances on the day of the Afghanistan-New Zealand clash and hence this pitch would be curated by a new chief curator. The pitches at Abu Dhabi have generally been lively and high scoring and a wicket of the same trait is expected in this game as well. 

Weather Forecast

The temperature at the stadium will fall from 28-degree Celsius at 06:00 pm to 26-degree Celsius by 10:00 pm and similarly, the humidity will increase from 49% to 57%. There would be a light breeze blowing and it being a 06:00 pm start at local time, dew in large amounts is expected in the second innings. Thus a captain winning the toss would look to chase in all circumstances. 

Team News

England

The English side would be forced to make yet another change in their XI and Sam Billings, who has travelled with the team for quite a long time, might just bear fruit for his patience.

Probable XI

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

New Zealand

The Kiwis are a settled unit and with no injuries barring a slight concern for Kane Williamson. It has been a while that he has been nursing an elbow injury but it is unlikely that he would be sitting out a clash as important as this one. They would be playing the same combination which has won them four matches in a row. 

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

CE XI Fantasy team

Wicketkeepers Jos Buttler

Batters - Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Dawid Malan

All-rounders - James Neesham, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone

Bowlers - Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid

Vice-captain - Kane Williamson

Captain - Moeen Ali

Discover more

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