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Timoweb
06-02-2007, 03:05 PM
Wow England are going to the finals.
England 270/7 v New Zealand 256/8


England completed the seemingly impossible in Brisbane as they beat New Zealand by 14 runs to book their place in the final of the Commonwealth Bank Series.


Defeat to the Black Caps seven days ago had looked to all-but guarantee England an extra few days back home before the start of the World Cup in the Caribbean.
However, victory in Sydney over Australia gave England renewed hope of reaching the best-of-three showpiece - and inspired by Paul Collingwood they ensured they will now be remaining Down Under for an extra week.


Collingwood justified his return to the side with 106 runs off 121 deliveries and 2-46, while the Durham man was backed up by a timely half-century from Andrew Strauss and three wickets from Liam Plunkett.


The defeat was harsh on New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who battled admirably for his 106 - his highest one-day score against England - and Shane Bond, who had tormented England to take four wickets.
However, England will now get a chance to settle a few scores with their hosts, who have beaten them nine times in 10 games during this tour.


Things had started badly for England when Michael Vaughan's return to action after three weeks on the sidelines lasted just one legal delivery.
Bond's first ball may have gone for a wide, but the New Zealand pace ace made no mistake with the next delivery as a beautiful inswinging yorker smacked into the stumps.


And Bond struck again at the end of his fourth over when Ian Bell edged the ball to Scott Styris at second slip.
England were on the ropes when Ed Joyce's wild swipe at a delivery from James Franklin was caught behind by Brendon McCullum. At 52-3, England seemed set for an early return home. However, Strauss and Collingwood turned the tide.


Both players had been desperately out of form going into the game, but the pair clicked together to put on 103 runs for the fourth wicket.
And, for once, luck was on the side of Strauss with the Middlesex man - so often on the end of bad decisions on this tour - surviving a clear shout for leg before while on 31.


Strauss went on to reach 55 - for his 14th one-day international half-century - however he undid some of his good work with an ugly-looking slog across the line of the delivery and was clean bowled by Styris.
Andrew Flintoff attempted to add some impetus to the scoring, and despite lusty blows and surviving a dropped chance by Ross Taylor, he eventually holed out for 17 off the bowling of Bond.


However, with Collingwood still at the crease and Jamie Dalrymple scoring at over a run-a-ball, England were heading towards a big total.
Unfortunately, Collingwood's classy knock - his third one-day century - came to a bizarre end when he was bowled by Bond. Going for a big shot, Collingwood seemed to lose sight of the delivery after Dalrymple dropped his bat backing up.


Paul Nixon lasted two balls before he was bowled by Mark Gillespie, but Dalrymple and Plunkett added 19 off the final 10 balls to see England to 270-7.
England's hopes of striking early quickly evaporated as the opening bowling duo of Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood struggled to get the ball in the right areas.
Plunkett conceded nine wides in his opening over, and by the time Vaughan had decided he had seen enough after seven overs, New Zealand had reached 53-0.


Although the change of approach did not yield immediate results, the fact Flintoff, Collingwood and Monty Panesar were able to slow the run rate meant the pressure began to build on New Zealand.
And having reached 31 off 32 balls Lou Vincent attempted to dominate the attack, but his slog sweep off Panesar was easily caught by Flintoff.


Peter Fulton managed to add 12 runs before Plunkett finally found his rhythm to have him caught by Bell.
At the other end, Fleming continued to frustrate England. Like Strauss and Collingwood, the Black Caps captain had entered the game lacking form, but England's failure to put him under pressure early on allowed Fleming to go on to reach his century off 138 balls.


However, Fleming was guilty of running out Ross Taylor for 25 after calling for a quick single and then stopping. With Taylor stranded halfway down the crease, Flintoff was able to run back to remove the bails.
A stand of 34 between Styris and Fleming kept New Zealand in touch, however three quick wickets turned the match on its head. Styris was too quick on to a slower ball and skied a catch to Panesar, while Jacob Oram edged a delivery from Plunkett to Nixon.


Plunkett, having been so erratic early on, then picked up his third wicket of the match by bowling McCullum.
With the run-rate at more than 10-an-over, New Zealand had to gamble but they only succeeded in losing the wicket of Daniel Vettori, Vaughan taking the catch off the bowling of Collingwood.


Fleming's resistance finally ended after 106 runs and 149 balls, a wild slash off Flintoff being brilliantly caught by Nixon - and with their captain gone, New Zealand were left with just too much to do.

By Tony Curtis - Created on 06 Feb 07 SkySports

woohoo128
06-02-2007, 08:31 PM
England winning seems like a miracle. is a pity they left it so late to start playing well and Michael Vaughan ought to be careful specially with all this bird flu lol

kamrez224
06-02-2007, 09:33 PM
england have a chance of beating australia in the finals,this latest victory will give them lot of encouragement,and boost to their morale,they have come from behind and i certainly feel they will go all the way