New Zealand, who reached the final last year, are still top of the group but they, England and Australia now have five points. Hosts and defending champions Australia are in third and real danger due to their extremely low net run rate. Only the top two teams can reach the semi-finals.
New Zealand face Ireland on Friday, while Australia will already face Afghanistan. England, who were favourites ahead of the tournament, will take on Sri Lanka the next day.Jos Buttler, who smashed a 47-ball 73 in Brisbane to take England to 179 for six, said his brilliant performance made up for the loss to Ireland in the Super 12 stage.
“Really proud of people tonight, for coming out with freedom and expressing myself with my talent, I was really proud of the character we showed,” Joss Butler said. “We are a really dangerous team, we have whole match-winners,” said Buttler, who decided to bat against a team that could seal a place in the last four by winning the toss.
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“With not being at our best so far, we were desperate to show that today. Buttler said it was to England’s advantage to play the next day australia in the fight for a semi-final spot.
“Playing the last game will be a bit of an advantage about what we need. We are going to expect a really tough match against Sri Lanka. But we will go to Sydney full of confidence,” Buttler said.
Glenn Phillips led the Black Caps fightback in his reply, but once he was dismissed for 62, New Zealand’s challenge dissolved. The Kiwis regretted missing two big chances when dangerous batsman Buttler was at the crease.
“I think it never helps, he’s a very good player,” all-rounder Mitch Santner said of the failed attempts to dismiss Jos Buttler. We knew chasing would be a challenge but I think we put ourselves in a very good position to get there, we just fell short a bit.