Cricket Scorecard

... THE RUN CHASE ...

New Zealand had a brilliant start with the ball. Seeing the back of Bairstow and Buttler early on would have been exactly what they would have prayed for. They did bowl quite well in the middle overs too but England managed to keep ticking along at a steady rate. There were many instances where they gave a boundary on the last ball of the over and that cost them quite a bit of runs. They would be a touch disappointed with the way they finished as there were quite a few loose deliveries in the de

Right then. Plenty of factors will determine who goes to the final after this clash. The pitch is perhaps not the easiest to bat on but if the dew comes, New Zealand will have a fair bit of advantage. But, it is important to remember that England have even been brilliant with the ball, especially in the Powerplay. A cracking chase comes our way so do not go anywhere!

Glenn Phillips, who was a livewire in the field, comes up for a quick word. Starts by talking about when he collided with the advertising board and says that his hands are fine, just a bit niggly. Tells that it is all about going out there with a positive mindset and keeping up with the rate. Shares that he has got mixed feedback about the pitch, some skidded on and some held on. Adds that he will get a fair idea when he will go out to bat.

A good effort by both the teams here. It would be tough to say which team would be happier. But, with the possibility of dew, later on, New Zealand will be quite happy with the way they bowled. This game is now nicely poised for an entertaining second half.

England did not have the best of starts with the bat. Jonny Bairstow's return to the top wasn't the best one as he fell early even Buttler got out after getting a start. The English middle order hadn't been under much pressure throughout the competition and here they were under tremendous pressure in a semi-final match. Dawid Malan held the innings together while Moeen Ali was struggling to find his timing initially. The partnership between these had given England a pretty good platform where th

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, Dropped and two more! 11 from the last over. ENGLAND END WITH 166/4! A full one outside off, Morgan looks to go over covers. He ends up skying it towards the man at sweeper cover. The fielder, Glenn Phillips runs in, slips as he tries to take it, does not hang on. Two taken.

Who will bat now? Eoin Morgan it is. He will be at the non-striker's end.

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, Fumble and two! A short ball, Morgan looks to pull, this goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Boult fumbles. Two taken.

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, WIDE! Extremely wide outside off, looking to stay away from the batter. Morgan lets it be.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Moeen misses out! A full toss on the pads, Ali is probably taken by surprise. He mistimes his attempted swipe across the line. It goes aerially but falls safely towards long leg. Only a single.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, ! This time Moeen puts it away! A full toss, outside off, Ali holds his shape and hits it over covers. Boundary. Also, fifty for Moeen! Crucial knock. His team was in trouble when he walked out and he has delivered.

James Neesham to Liam Livingstone, ! Straight to the man! Liam Livingstone falls now. A single and a wicket on the first two balls of the last over. Good start from James Neesham! He bowls it really full and wide outside off, difficult to get under those. Liam Livingstone looks to power it over long off but does not get the desired elevation. He holes out to the fielder in the deep. Mitchell Santner has a safe pair of hands.

Will Kane Williamson go with a spinner in the final over? Nope, here is James Neesham. He went for 7 in his first over.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Singles really won't harm the Kiwis! A full one outside off, it is hit down to long off for one.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Outside off, Ali strokes it through covers for one. Another good over for England comes to an end.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, A slower short ball, outside off. Ali looks to pull but misses. A dot, gold at this stage.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, Another full one, outside off, Liam mistimes his attempted shot but still, it goes through point for one.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, ! Beats the dive of Guptill and the 150 is up! Outside off, Liam Livingstone hits it wide of long off. Guptill runs there and puts in a desperate dive but fails to stop it.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, A fumble and two! A full toss again but this is well wide outside off. It is hit down towards long off. The fielder runs to his left and fumbles, two taken.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, A low full toss on middle, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, ! That is huge! Out of here! What a hit! Right in the slot this one. Fuller and on middle, Liam Livingstone launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie. End of a huge over. 170 now seems possible.

Who will bowl the 19th over? Trent Boult (3-0-31-0) is back.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, Had he hit that, it would have been out of the park! A slower one outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to go big over mid-wicket but misses. That was there to be hit.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, WIDE! That does not come out right! A slower one, well wide outside off. Left alone.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Outside off, fuller, this is hit down to long off for one.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, A good short one, on the body, Liam is late into the pull shot and it goes off the under-edge towards short fine leg. A single. Milne got away with that. A short one with fine leg up is a big risk.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Wide outside off, Ali swings his bat at it. He looks to push it on the off side without much foot movement but it goes off the inner half towards long on for one.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, ! That sounded so good! That is right off the middle! Moeen Ali is on a roll now. Another over which begins with a biggie. Shorter and outside off, another slower one. Ali waits for it and smacks it over the mid-wicket fence.

Change in bowling. Adam Milne (3-0-15-1) is back on.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, A single to end another good over for England! On off, this is hit down to long off for one.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Two more! Floats it up on the pads, Ali once again looks to whip it, it goes off the inner half through square leg for two.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Yet another dot! A googly, it is outside off. Ali looks to cut but misses.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Moeen looks to go big again! Comes down the track but this time, the length is shortened. Ali swings but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Change. Oh wow. Liam Livingstone vs Ish Sodhi should be the contest to watch out for.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, ! All the way! That is a big hit! Moeen has nailed that! Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and smacks it over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one.

Ish Sodhi to Liam Livingstone, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

Ish Sodhi to Liam Livingstone, WIDE! Slows it up but bowls it well wide outside off. Left alone.

Who will Eoin Morgan send in now? Liam Livingstone? Sam Billings? Or will he walk in himself? Here is the big and strong Liam Livingstone. 

Tim Southee to Liam Livingstone, A brilliant comeback by Southee after going for a biggie on the first ball! Just the 9 from the over. A short one, hurries onto Liam Livingstone, he looks to pull, it hits the splice and lobs towards mid-wicket for one.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali, Just another run! Length and on off, Ali looks to slap but does not time it, it goes to long off for a single.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali, A good yorker, outside off, inside the tramline. Ali fails to reach it. A dot.

Tim Southee to Liam Livingstone, Liam Livingstone comes down the track straightaway. He works it down to long on and gets off the mark.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan, ! EDGED AND TAKEN! Malan falls 9 short of a half ton and Southee has his revenge! The seam-up ball does the trick. It is short and outside off and Malan looks to pull. But it takes the under-edge and goes into the gloves of Conway who takes it. A good knock comes to an end. The foundation is laid for the batters to come in.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan, ! All the way! The 16th over starts with a biggie! Pressure now on Southee and England will look to make this into a big over! Slightly shorter, another slower one. Malan this time waits for it and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan, Malan looks to play the paddle scoop but Boult digs it into the pitch and on middle, it hits Malan's arms and lobs to the right of the keeper who runs towards the ball but does not pick it up cleanly. A single in the end.

Change. Tim Southee (3-0-15-0) to bowl out now.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Length now and on off, Ali slaps it down to long off and gets to the other end.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, ! There is the boundary! Welcome one! Boult errs in line, he slips this one down the leg side. Moeen flicks it through backward square leg, and it gets to the fence in no time.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan, Another one which lands in no man's land! A slower short ball outside off, Malan looks to slap it but once again is a touch early into the shot. He mistimes it aerially towards covers for one.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Lands safe! A slower one, it is the knuckle-ball. Fuller and on middle, Moeen is early as he tries to loft it. It goes more off the toe-end towards mid off. Tim Southee runs in from long off and dives forward but does not get to it. Good effort but he could not get there in time. A single. The 50-run stand comes up.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Well bowled but nicely played too! A very full delivery, on middle, Moeen squeezes it through mid-wicket. It is in the gap and two runs taken.

Change. Trent Boult (2-0-22-0) is back on.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Yes, he does! Just a single off the last ball which brings up 100 for England. A full toss on off, a quick one. Moeen strokes it to mid off for a run.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Fuller and on off, Malan plays it through covers for one. A good over so far but can he end it well?

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Dropped! Well, if you want to call it that! This is full and on middle, it is thumped back towards the bowler extremely hard. Milne sticks his left hand out. It does not stick, hits the fingers and goes towards the left of long on who initially had run to his right. Hence, two.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Another short one, angling across the left-hander. Malan looks to pull but misses.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Goes fuller now and on middle, Ali swings, it goes more off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Almost found the gap in the end! Malan makes room and Milne bangs it short and outside off, it is a slower one. Malan somehow reaches out for it and hits it wide of mid off for one.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, ! Another boundary on the last ball of the over! Shorter ball, outside off. Moeen Ali slaps it hard. This time, the man at backward point has no chance and the ball runs away to the fence.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Malan shuffles way across the off pole and Sodhi bowls a full toss down the leg side. Malan sweeps it to deep square leg for just a single.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Tossed up, on leg. Malan reverse-sweeps it to short third man. Finds the fielder. A dot ball.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Tossed up, around off. Tapped to covers for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Good stop! Flatter ball, on the pads. Malan plays the reverse sweep. Neesham dives to his left at backward point and gets his hands to it. One taken.

Change! Time for some leg spin as Ish Sodhi is back. 2-0-12-1 are his figures so far.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Moeen comes down the track so Sodhi bowls it shorter. It's worked wide of long on by Moeen. Ali wants the second but Malan sends him back.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Shorter ball, down the leg side. Ali misses the pull. This could well be the over where he decides to step on the gas.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, A low full toss, wide outside off. Moeen Ali drills it to sweeper cover for one. 7 from the over.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Nicely bowled. Short ball, outside off. But this is a slower one. Ali is way too early into his pull shot and misses.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Slips a yorker, on the pads. Malan works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Length ball, outside off. Punched to deep cover for one.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Brilliant, brilliant work by Glenn Phillips! Length ball, outside off. Malan nails the cover drive again. The man at cover dives but cannot stop it. It looks destined to reach the fence but Glenn Phillips is a man on a mission. He sprints hard to his left and dives to stop it. Saves a run for his team.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, On a length, on off. Pushed to long on for an easy single.

Change! Adam Milne is on!

Glenn Phillips to Moeen Ali, Shorter ball, on the pads. Ali works it to deep square leg for one. So, the Glenn Phillips experiment costs New Zealand 11 runs.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, Darts it on the pads, it's worked towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips chases it in anticipation of the batters looking for the second. The man from deep also sprints in and the batters settle for one.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, ! He could play that shot all day and find the boundary 9 out of 10 times! Tossed up, on off. He lifts it over covers and wide of long off for a boundary.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, Darted on the leg stump, Malan misses the reverse sweep and it goes very closely past the leg stump.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, ! Another gorgeous stroke from the bat of Malan! Flighted ball, around middle. He backs away to the leg side and lofts it over covers. The man from long off runs to his right but has no chance.

Glenn Phillips to Moeen Ali, Darted around off. Ali hits it towards long off. The man collects the ball on the bounce as the batters cross.

DRINKS! New Zealand have done really well so far! They have not let England score freely and have got the two big wickets of Buttler and Bairstow. The Kiwis need to keep the good work going though as this England team bats really deep and if the momentum shifts, the Kiwis could well be chasing a big score. Also, with 10 overs to go, what will England be looking at, they will know dew could be a factor so they would be wanting to get close to the 160 or maybe 170-run mark. Can they step up the s

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, ! Gorgeous drive! Length ball, around off. Malan nails the cover drive all along the ground and it is racing away. Glenn Phillips is the man in the deep. He sprints to his left like Usain Bolt but the ball beats him. Phillips goes over the advertising board due to his momentum and falls. But he seems to be alright.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Short of a length, around off. Moeen Ali heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Short of a length, on off. Moeen mistimes his pull shot to mid on.

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, Did that carry? Fuller ball, around off. Malan goes for the drive but gets the outside edge. Conway dives to his left. The ball carries to him but it is very low. It hits the left glove and rolls to third man. A chance goes begging and Neesham cannot believe it. One taken.

Change! None of the two options we talked about as it is James Neesham who will bowl from this end.

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, Short of a length, outside off. Malan looks to slog it across the line but misses.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, On a length, around off. Ali punches it to deep cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, ! Once again, a boundary somewhat spoils what would have been brilliant over for New Zealand! Loopy ball, on off. Malan drives it aerially over covers. The man from long off runs to his right and even dives but the ball beats him on its way to the fence.

Moeen Ali walks out to bat! Two left-handers out there now. Will we see Glenn Phillips come on or maybe Milne for some short stuff to Moeen! Remains to be seen.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Full ball, on off. Worked to deep mid-wicket for a single. A good over by Sodhi so far. Can he finish well?

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Flatter ball, wide outside off. Ali reaches for it and chops it towards covers.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Nicely driven to the right of long off for a single.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Loopy ball, on off, Ali pushes it to long off for one. Moeen is off the mark.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, ! LBW! Three reds and Buttler walks back! A big, big wicket for New Zealand as Buttler departs after getting a good start. Loopy ball, around off, Jos looks to play the reverse sweep again but gets no bat on it. He is thudded on the pads in front of the off stump and the umpire raises the finger. Review is taken but this looks dead straight. Yup, no bat on it and three reds on the Ball Tracker! A big blow to England.

This looks dead! Buttler is a goner! He has been given out LBW. He reviews. This seems more in hope though. Big moment in the game.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Flatter ball, on leg. Worked to long on for one. So, despite the boundary, Santner goes for only 8 in his first over.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, The reverse sweep again but it is not executed well. Buttler chops it towards short third man.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Loopy ball, on leg. Buttler paddles it to fine leg for a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, ! Brilliant, brilliant execution! Flatter ball, on leg. Buttler nails the reverse sweep. The ball goes through backward point. The man from deep cover runs to his left but has no chance.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Darted on the pads. Buttler looks to work it away but gets a leading edge. The ball goes towards covers.

Mitchell Santner to Dawid Malan, Flatter ball, on off. Malan gets low and drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Change! Spin from the other end too as Mitchell Santner is into the attack.

Change! Spin for the first time tonight, Ish Sodhi comes on.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Flatter ball, on off. Malan backs away to the leg side and pushes it to deep cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, Well bowled. Buttler dances down the track so Sodhi drags his length ball. This is pushed to sweeper cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, This time he cuts it well. Towards deep cover for one.

The players are out on the field. New Zealand have already taken the field. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler stride out to bat. Tim Southee will start with the ball. But before the game begins, both teams take the knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Kumar Dharmasena says play. Here we go...

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Beaten! Darted across. Malan goes for the cut but it is quite close to him. He misses.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, Googly, around leg. Buttler works it to the leg side for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Sodhi starts with a loopy ball, on the pads. Malan clips it to square leg for a single.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, A 90 mph delivery, on a length around leg, once again Malan fails to get any bat behind it. The ball goes off the thigh pad towards short fine leg and they cross a leg bye. At the end of the Powerplay, England are 40/1!

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Fractionally short and around leg at 85 mph, Malan sticks back to play it on the leg side but the ball skids on and strikes him high on the pads.

Adam Milne to Jos Buttler, Milne digs it in short, around off at 91 mph, Jos stands tall to get on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Adam Milne to Jos Buttler, Fuller and close to off, Buttler once again drives it with minimum footwork but finds the cover fielder.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, On a length around leg, Malan nudges it behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

Dawid Malan walks out to bat.

Adam Milne to Jonny Bairstow, ! CAUGHT! Adam Milne comes and strikes straightaway. He delivers it on a length and wide outside off at 144 kph, Jonny Bairstow reaches out for it to drive it through the line but the ball hurries onto his bat. Jonny ends up mistiming it towards mid off where Kane Williamson goes down low to his left and takes a fantastic diving catch. He is claiming it but the onfield umpires want to get it checked upstairs. The soft signal is out and that will remain ou

Is that a clean catch? The soft signal is out. Yup, Kane Williamson has fingers under the ball.

A bit of movement behind the bowler's arm. Jonny Bairstow stops Milne in his run-up.

Change. Adam Milne comes on now.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fuller and around off, a little punch from the back foot, to the left of mid off, and a single is pinched.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee goes short around off, Buttler drags his attempted pull shot down to fine leg for one.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Pitches it up and around off, Jonny knocks it down to long on and takes a single.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, On a length again, around middle and leg, Bairstow tries to heave but misses. A stifled appeal for an lbw is not entertained by the umpire. Missing leg, perhaps.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, ! Great shot! First signs of real aggression from Bairstow. This one is on a length outside off, at 135 kph, Bairstow attacks it from the middle of his blade and clubs it behind the bowler for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Almost a drag on. Fuller and on off, Buttler tries to drive minus any footwork and inside-edges it past the stumps to fine leg. They cross.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Shortish around leg, pulled down to fine leg for one. 16 from the over!

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Shortish and around off, angling away, Buttler swivels with his pull shot but misses.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Fuller and around off, Buttler drives it down to mid off where Williamson makes a tumbling stop. The batsmen cross as Kane scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. Buttler is safely in though. The ball deflects off the stumps towards and wrong-foots the mid-wicket fielder who was trying to back up the throw. Boult has to run and collect the ball and by then, the batsmen pick one more.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, FIVE WIDES! Runs are coming thick and fast. Trent Boult decides to bowl the effort ball. He bends his back to go short but it goes well over the batsman and the keeper for a boundary behind.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Around off, on a length, Buttler pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, ! Shot! The last shot forces Boult to change his length. He goes a bit short but the line is wide outside off, Buttler latches onto the room and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, ! Class written all over this shot! Trent Boult looks for some movement but in the process, he delivers it a little too full around off. There is a slight inward movement but Buttler covers it and drives it crisply down the ground for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fullish and on middle, shaping away a bit along with holding up from the pitch, Jonny Bairstow pushes it out a bit aerially but safely towards mid on. Top over by Tim!

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Around middle, nipping back in and beating the attempted cross-batted shot from Bairstow. It pings him on the pads and dies near the surface.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fuller one, around middle, Bairstow stays back with an open stance and pushes it towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Delivers it on a good length at 134 kph, around middle and shaping down, Jonny fails to defend and wears it high on his pads.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, On a length and close to off, Jos taps it down towards cover-point and rotates the strike.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, ! Here comes the first boundary of the first semi-final. Southee stays full but the line again is on middle and leg, Buttler flicks it with great timing and finds the gap at backward square leg. A boundary results.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Fuller and around off, some movement there, Buttler pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, ! Again, a boundary on the last ball spoils a good over. This one is a bit streaky also. Back of a length, around off and angling away, Jonny Bairstow rocks back to crack it square of the wicket on the off side but it takes the inner edge and speeds past the stumps to the fine leg fence.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Short and around off, Jonny sways away from the line.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Fractionally short and around off, Jonny Bairstow punches it through the gap at covers for a brace.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Beautiful delivery. Some inward swing in the air as it lands fuller around off, Bairstow tries to play the trajectory but the ball lands and leaves him with the seam movement. Beats the outside edge by a whisker. Unplayable.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Trent Boult drags his length back and delivers it around leg, Jonny Bairstow tries to pull but misses. It hits him on the thigh pad and rolls towards backward point.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Right on the money, as always. Boult lands it on a length around middle, Bairstow gets behind the line and defends it towards mid on.

Trent Boult set to steam in from the other end.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee attempts to repeat the same delivery from the middle stump line. But this time there is no movement and it skids on with the angle. Buttler tries to flick but misses. He is hit on the pads but only a muted appeal for an lbw follows. Missing leg.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Beaten all ends up! A lovely outswinger from Southee. Lands it close to off and takes it away with the seam movement, Jos has his feet rooted to the crease as he attempts to drive. Misses.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Quick run. A touch too full in length and around off, Bairstow gets behind the line and pushes it with soft hands towards mid on. They rush across for a single.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Southee pitches it up on this occasion, outside off, Jonny Bairstow drives it off the front foot but finds the fielder at covers.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee begins with a short ball on middle, at 83 mph, Buttler stands tall and pulls it down to fine leg for a single. England are underway.

Here we go, folks! All set for the first semi-final of what has been a fantastic tournament. The teams stride out for the anthems. But before the anthems, the players and the officials along with the ground staff will observe a moment of silence for Mohan Singh, the chief curator of this ground, who recently passed away. Now, the anthem of New Zealand will be played followed by that of Great Britain.

Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, says it looks like a good surface and the dew can come into play and hence, he wants to bowl. Informs they are playing the same team. Adds it is a busy period for them, they are trying to build on the performances and the players are looking forward to the challenge. Further says that the experienced bowlers have stepped up to the occasion and the conditions have also suited them. Ends by saying the attitude out there is important and they would look

Tim Southee comes in for a quick interview as well. The Kiwi speedster says that they are very excited to be here. Adds that their experience with the ball has come in handy. Shares that losing Lockie Ferguson early was a big blow but Adam Milne coming in has done well for them.

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of England, says that he would have bowled first as well, as that has been the trend in this tournament. Hopes that the toss doesn't decide the game. Informs that Sam Billings comes in for Jason Roy. Shares that Roy missing out is devastating but it provides a hardworking guy like Billings a chance. Confirms that Bairstow will open the batting with Buttler. Mentions that New Zealand are a very good side and they cannot afford to take them lightly.

A quick chat with Jos Buttler. The English wicketkeeper says that he is keeping things very simple and is trying to take advantage of the Powerplay. Adds that not having Jason Roy is a huge blow as he is a massive part of the team but that gives opportunities to other guys. Says that the consistency by the bowlers has been great and starting well in the Powerplay has helped them a lot.

England (Playing XI) - Jos Buttler (WK), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (C), Sam Billings (In for Jason Roy), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

New Zealand (Unchanged Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway (WK), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

Toss - Time for the all-important toss. Both, Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson are in the middle. The English skipper flips the coin, Tails is the call and it's a Tail. NEW ZEALAND ELECT TO FIELD!

... SHOW TIME ...

Pitch - The surface is expected to be two-paced and batting is going to be challenging. The batting side should look to make hay in the first six overs against a hard new ball.

It’s time for the first semi-final clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi! Hello and welcome folks, to a match that will hopefully be a thrilling battle between England and New Zealand. Well, we all know what we witnessed the last time these two sides met in an ICC World Cup, a game full of drama and probably the best ODI game to have ever been played. We will hope to see the same kind of fireworks in this big encounter and boy, if we do see it we are in for one entertaining evening.

The pre-tournament favourites, England, were always expected to make it to the semis. They did that in style by topping their group and getting big wins over strong opponents like Australia and West Indies. But the loss in the final game of the group stage against South Africa and more than that the loss of their prolific hard-hitting opener Jason Roy will be a little concern for the English team. Their middle order has not been tested enough in this tournament so far and if the Kiwis can make s

The Blackcaps started their campaign on a losing note but have come back stronger than ever and won all their remaining games thereafter and will come into this semi-final game pretty high on confidence. New Zealand’s bowling attack will be the key, as it has been throughout the tournament. Their batting on the other side has been inconsistent, we saw Martin Guptill and Daryl Michell play a few impressive knocks, and the middle order doing its fair bit to get New Zealand home. Not to forget,

A mouthwatering contest coming your way! It’ll be New Zealand’s fiery bowling attack up against the power-packed English batting. Will we see Kane Williamson seek his revenge and progress to the final? Or will it be Morgan and his men sending the Kiwis home? Don’t go anywhere, action coming up soon!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

New Zealand had a brilliant start with the ball. Seeing the back of Bairstow and Buttler early on would have been exactly what they would have prayed for. They did bowl quite well in the middle overs too but England managed to keep ticking along at a steady rate. There were many instances where they gave a boundary on the last ball of the over and that cost them quite a bit of runs. They would be a touch disappointed with the way they finished as there were quite a few loose deliveries in the de

Right then. Plenty of factors will determine who goes to the final after this clash. The pitch is perhaps not the easiest to bat on but if the dew comes, New Zealand will have a fair bit of advantage. But, it is important to remember that England have even been brilliant with the ball, especially in the Powerplay. A cracking chase comes our way so do not go anywhere!

Glenn Phillips, who was a livewire in the field, comes up for a quick word. Starts by talking about when he collided with the advertising board and says that his hands are fine, just a bit niggly. Tells that it is all about going out there with a positive mindset and keeping up with the rate. Shares that he has got mixed feedback about the pitch, some skidded on and some held on. Adds that he will get a fair idea when he will go out to bat.

A good effort by both the teams here. It would be tough to say which team would be happier. But, with the possibility of dew, later on, New Zealand will be quite happy with the way they bowled. This game is now nicely poised for an entertaining second half.

England did not have the best of starts with the bat. Jonny Bairstow's return to the top wasn't the best one as he fell early even Buttler got out after getting a start. The English middle order hadn't been under much pressure throughout the competition and here they were under tremendous pressure in a semi-final match. Dawid Malan held the innings together while Moeen Ali was struggling to find his timing initially. The partnership between these had given England a pretty good platform where th

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, Dropped and two more! 11 from the last over. ENGLAND END WITH 166/4! A full one outside off, Morgan looks to go over covers. He ends up skying it towards the man at sweeper cover. The fielder, Glenn Phillips runs in, slips as he tries to take it, does not hang on. Two taken.

Who will bat now? Eoin Morgan it is. He will be at the non-striker's end.

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, Fumble and two! A short ball, Morgan looks to pull, this goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Boult fumbles. Two taken.

James Neesham to Eoin Morgan, WIDE! Extremely wide outside off, looking to stay away from the batter. Morgan lets it be.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Moeen misses out! A full toss on the pads, Ali is probably taken by surprise. He mistimes his attempted swipe across the line. It goes aerially but falls safely towards long leg. Only a single.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, ! This time Moeen puts it away! A full toss, outside off, Ali holds his shape and hits it over covers. Boundary. Also, fifty for Moeen! Crucial knock. His team was in trouble when he walked out and he has delivered.

James Neesham to Liam Livingstone, ! Straight to the man! Liam Livingstone falls now. A single and a wicket on the first two balls of the last over. Good start from James Neesham! He bowls it really full and wide outside off, difficult to get under those. Liam Livingstone looks to power it over long off but does not get the desired elevation. He holes out to the fielder in the deep. Mitchell Santner has a safe pair of hands.

Will Kane Williamson go with a spinner in the final over? Nope, here is James Neesham. He went for 7 in his first over.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Singles really won't harm the Kiwis! A full one outside off, it is hit down to long off for one.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Outside off, Ali strokes it through covers for one. Another good over for England comes to an end.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, A slower short ball, outside off. Ali looks to pull but misses. A dot, gold at this stage.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, Another full one, outside off, Liam mistimes his attempted shot but still, it goes through point for one.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, ! Beats the dive of Guptill and the 150 is up! Outside off, Liam Livingstone hits it wide of long off. Guptill runs there and puts in a desperate dive but fails to stop it.

Trent Boult to Liam Livingstone, A fumble and two! A full toss again but this is well wide outside off. It is hit down towards long off. The fielder runs to his left and fumbles, two taken.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, A low full toss on middle, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, ! That is huge! Out of here! What a hit! Right in the slot this one. Fuller and on middle, Liam Livingstone launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie. End of a huge over. 170 now seems possible.

Who will bowl the 19th over? Trent Boult (3-0-31-0) is back.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, Had he hit that, it would have been out of the park! A slower one outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to go big over mid-wicket but misses. That was there to be hit.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, WIDE! That does not come out right! A slower one, well wide outside off. Left alone.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Outside off, fuller, this is hit down to long off for one.

Adam Milne to Liam Livingstone, A good short one, on the body, Liam is late into the pull shot and it goes off the under-edge towards short fine leg. A single. Milne got away with that. A short one with fine leg up is a big risk.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Wide outside off, Ali swings his bat at it. He looks to push it on the off side without much foot movement but it goes off the inner half towards long on for one.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, ! That sounded so good! That is right off the middle! Moeen Ali is on a roll now. Another over which begins with a biggie. Shorter and outside off, another slower one. Ali waits for it and smacks it over the mid-wicket fence.

Change in bowling. Adam Milne (3-0-15-1) is back on.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, A single to end another good over for England! On off, this is hit down to long off for one.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Two more! Floats it up on the pads, Ali once again looks to whip it, it goes off the inner half through square leg for two.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Yet another dot! A googly, it is outside off. Ali looks to cut but misses.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Moeen looks to go big again! Comes down the track but this time, the length is shortened. Ali swings but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Change. Oh wow. Liam Livingstone vs Ish Sodhi should be the contest to watch out for.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, ! All the way! That is a big hit! Moeen has nailed that! Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and smacks it over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one.

Ish Sodhi to Liam Livingstone, Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

Ish Sodhi to Liam Livingstone, WIDE! Slows it up but bowls it well wide outside off. Left alone.

Who will Eoin Morgan send in now? Liam Livingstone? Sam Billings? Or will he walk in himself? Here is the big and strong Liam Livingstone. 

Tim Southee to Liam Livingstone, A brilliant comeback by Southee after going for a biggie on the first ball! Just the 9 from the over. A short one, hurries onto Liam Livingstone, he looks to pull, it hits the splice and lobs towards mid-wicket for one.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali, Just another run! Length and on off, Ali looks to slap but does not time it, it goes to long off for a single.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali, A good yorker, outside off, inside the tramline. Ali fails to reach it. A dot.

Tim Southee to Liam Livingstone, Liam Livingstone comes down the track straightaway. He works it down to long on and gets off the mark.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan, ! EDGED AND TAKEN! Malan falls 9 short of a half ton and Southee has his revenge! The seam-up ball does the trick. It is short and outside off and Malan looks to pull. But it takes the under-edge and goes into the gloves of Conway who takes it. A good knock comes to an end. The foundation is laid for the batters to come in.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan, ! All the way! The 16th over starts with a biggie! Pressure now on Southee and England will look to make this into a big over! Slightly shorter, another slower one. Malan this time waits for it and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan, Malan looks to play the paddle scoop but Boult digs it into the pitch and on middle, it hits Malan's arms and lobs to the right of the keeper who runs towards the ball but does not pick it up cleanly. A single in the end.

Change. Tim Southee (3-0-15-0) to bowl out now.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Length now and on off, Ali slaps it down to long off and gets to the other end.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, ! There is the boundary! Welcome one! Boult errs in line, he slips this one down the leg side. Moeen flicks it through backward square leg, and it gets to the fence in no time.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan, Another one which lands in no man's land! A slower short ball outside off, Malan looks to slap it but once again is a touch early into the shot. He mistimes it aerially towards covers for one.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Lands safe! A slower one, it is the knuckle-ball. Fuller and on middle, Moeen is early as he tries to loft it. It goes more off the toe-end towards mid off. Tim Southee runs in from long off and dives forward but does not get to it. Good effort but he could not get there in time. A single. The 50-run stand comes up.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali, Well bowled but nicely played too! A very full delivery, on middle, Moeen squeezes it through mid-wicket. It is in the gap and two runs taken.

Change. Trent Boult (2-0-22-0) is back on.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Yes, he does! Just a single off the last ball which brings up 100 for England. A full toss on off, a quick one. Moeen strokes it to mid off for a run.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Fuller and on off, Malan plays it through covers for one. A good over so far but can he end it well?

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Dropped! Well, if you want to call it that! This is full and on middle, it is thumped back towards the bowler extremely hard. Milne sticks his left hand out. It does not stick, hits the fingers and goes towards the left of long on who initially had run to his right. Hence, two.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Another short one, angling across the left-hander. Malan looks to pull but misses.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Goes fuller now and on middle, Ali swings, it goes more off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Almost found the gap in the end! Malan makes room and Milne bangs it short and outside off, it is a slower one. Malan somehow reaches out for it and hits it wide of mid off for one.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, ! Another boundary on the last ball of the over! Shorter ball, outside off. Moeen Ali slaps it hard. This time, the man at backward point has no chance and the ball runs away to the fence.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Malan shuffles way across the off pole and Sodhi bowls a full toss down the leg side. Malan sweeps it to deep square leg for just a single.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Tossed up, on leg. Malan reverse-sweeps it to short third man. Finds the fielder. A dot ball.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Tossed up, around off. Tapped to covers for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Good stop! Flatter ball, on the pads. Malan plays the reverse sweep. Neesham dives to his left at backward point and gets his hands to it. One taken.

Change! Time for some leg spin as Ish Sodhi is back. 2-0-12-1 are his figures so far.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Moeen comes down the track so Sodhi bowls it shorter. It's worked wide of long on by Moeen. Ali wants the second but Malan sends him back.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Shorter ball, down the leg side. Ali misses the pull. This could well be the over where he decides to step on the gas.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, A low full toss, wide outside off. Moeen Ali drills it to sweeper cover for one. 7 from the over.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Nicely bowled. Short ball, outside off. But this is a slower one. Ali is way too early into his pull shot and misses.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Slips a yorker, on the pads. Malan works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, Length ball, outside off. Punched to deep cover for one.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Brilliant, brilliant work by Glenn Phillips! Length ball, outside off. Malan nails the cover drive again. The man at cover dives but cannot stop it. It looks destined to reach the fence but Glenn Phillips is a man on a mission. He sprints hard to his left and dives to stop it. Saves a run for his team.

Adam Milne to Moeen Ali, On a length, on off. Pushed to long on for an easy single.

Change! Adam Milne is on!

Glenn Phillips to Moeen Ali, Shorter ball, on the pads. Ali works it to deep square leg for one. So, the Glenn Phillips experiment costs New Zealand 11 runs.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, Darts it on the pads, it's worked towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips chases it in anticipation of the batters looking for the second. The man from deep also sprints in and the batters settle for one.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, ! He could play that shot all day and find the boundary 9 out of 10 times! Tossed up, on off. He lifts it over covers and wide of long off for a boundary.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, Darted on the leg stump, Malan misses the reverse sweep and it goes very closely past the leg stump.

Glenn Phillips to Dawid Malan, ! Another gorgeous stroke from the bat of Malan! Flighted ball, around middle. He backs away to the leg side and lofts it over covers. The man from long off runs to his right but has no chance.

Glenn Phillips to Moeen Ali, Darted around off. Ali hits it towards long off. The man collects the ball on the bounce as the batters cross.

DRINKS! New Zealand have done really well so far! They have not let England score freely and have got the two big wickets of Buttler and Bairstow. The Kiwis need to keep the good work going though as this England team bats really deep and if the momentum shifts, the Kiwis could well be chasing a big score. Also, with 10 overs to go, what will England be looking at, they will know dew could be a factor so they would be wanting to get close to the 160 or maybe 170-run mark. Can they step up the s

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, ! Gorgeous drive! Length ball, around off. Malan nails the cover drive all along the ground and it is racing away. Glenn Phillips is the man in the deep. He sprints to his left like Usain Bolt but the ball beats him. Phillips goes over the advertising board due to his momentum and falls. But he seems to be alright.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Short of a length, around off. Moeen Ali heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, Short of a length, on off. Moeen mistimes his pull shot to mid on.

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, Did that carry? Fuller ball, around off. Malan goes for the drive but gets the outside edge. Conway dives to his left. The ball carries to him but it is very low. It hits the left glove and rolls to third man. A chance goes begging and Neesham cannot believe it. One taken.

Change! None of the two options we talked about as it is James Neesham who will bowl from this end.

James Neesham to Dawid Malan, Short of a length, outside off. Malan looks to slog it across the line but misses.

James Neesham to Moeen Ali, On a length, around off. Ali punches it to deep cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, ! Once again, a boundary somewhat spoils what would have been brilliant over for New Zealand! Loopy ball, on off. Malan drives it aerially over covers. The man from long off runs to his right and even dives but the ball beats him on its way to the fence.

Moeen Ali walks out to bat! Two left-handers out there now. Will we see Glenn Phillips come on or maybe Milne for some short stuff to Moeen! Remains to be seen.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Full ball, on off. Worked to deep mid-wicket for a single. A good over by Sodhi so far. Can he finish well?

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Flatter ball, wide outside off. Ali reaches for it and chops it towards covers.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Nicely driven to the right of long off for a single.

Ish Sodhi to Moeen Ali, Loopy ball, on off, Ali pushes it to long off for one. Moeen is off the mark.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, ! LBW! Three reds and Buttler walks back! A big, big wicket for New Zealand as Buttler departs after getting a good start. Loopy ball, around off, Jos looks to play the reverse sweep again but gets no bat on it. He is thudded on the pads in front of the off stump and the umpire raises the finger. Review is taken but this looks dead straight. Yup, no bat on it and three reds on the Ball Tracker! A big blow to England.

This looks dead! Buttler is a goner! He has been given out LBW. He reviews. This seems more in hope though. Big moment in the game.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Flatter ball, on leg. Worked to long on for one. So, despite the boundary, Santner goes for only 8 in his first over.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, The reverse sweep again but it is not executed well. Buttler chops it towards short third man.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Loopy ball, on leg. Buttler paddles it to fine leg for a couple.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, ! Brilliant, brilliant execution! Flatter ball, on leg. Buttler nails the reverse sweep. The ball goes through backward point. The man from deep cover runs to his left but has no chance.

Mitchell Santner to Jos Buttler, Darted on the pads. Buttler looks to work it away but gets a leading edge. The ball goes towards covers.

Mitchell Santner to Dawid Malan, Flatter ball, on off. Malan gets low and drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Change! Spin from the other end too as Mitchell Santner is into the attack.

Change! Spin for the first time tonight, Ish Sodhi comes on.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Flatter ball, on off. Malan backs away to the leg side and pushes it to deep cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, Well bowled. Buttler dances down the track so Sodhi drags his length ball. This is pushed to sweeper cover for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, This time he cuts it well. Towards deep cover for one.

The players are out on the field. New Zealand have already taken the field. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler stride out to bat. Tim Southee will start with the ball. But before the game begins, both teams take the knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Kumar Dharmasena says play. Here we go...

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Beaten! Darted across. Malan goes for the cut but it is quite close to him. He misses.

Ish Sodhi to Jos Buttler, Googly, around leg. Buttler works it to the leg side for one.

Ish Sodhi to Dawid Malan, Sodhi starts with a loopy ball, on the pads. Malan clips it to square leg for a single.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, A 90 mph delivery, on a length around leg, once again Malan fails to get any bat behind it. The ball goes off the thigh pad towards short fine leg and they cross a leg bye. At the end of the Powerplay, England are 40/1!

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, Fractionally short and around leg at 85 mph, Malan sticks back to play it on the leg side but the ball skids on and strikes him high on the pads.

Adam Milne to Jos Buttler, Milne digs it in short, around off at 91 mph, Jos stands tall to get on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Adam Milne to Jos Buttler, Fuller and close to off, Buttler once again drives it with minimum footwork but finds the cover fielder.

Adam Milne to Dawid Malan, On a length around leg, Malan nudges it behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

Dawid Malan walks out to bat.

Adam Milne to Jonny Bairstow, ! CAUGHT! Adam Milne comes and strikes straightaway. He delivers it on a length and wide outside off at 144 kph, Jonny Bairstow reaches out for it to drive it through the line but the ball hurries onto his bat. Jonny ends up mistiming it towards mid off where Kane Williamson goes down low to his left and takes a fantastic diving catch. He is claiming it but the onfield umpires want to get it checked upstairs. The soft signal is out and that will remain ou

Is that a clean catch? The soft signal is out. Yup, Kane Williamson has fingers under the ball.

A bit of movement behind the bowler's arm. Jonny Bairstow stops Milne in his run-up.

Change. Adam Milne comes on now.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fuller and around off, a little punch from the back foot, to the left of mid off, and a single is pinched.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee goes short around off, Buttler drags his attempted pull shot down to fine leg for one.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Pitches it up and around off, Jonny knocks it down to long on and takes a single.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, On a length again, around middle and leg, Bairstow tries to heave but misses. A stifled appeal for an lbw is not entertained by the umpire. Missing leg, perhaps.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, ! Great shot! First signs of real aggression from Bairstow. This one is on a length outside off, at 135 kph, Bairstow attacks it from the middle of his blade and clubs it behind the bowler for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Almost a drag on. Fuller and on off, Buttler tries to drive minus any footwork and inside-edges it past the stumps to fine leg. They cross.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Shortish around leg, pulled down to fine leg for one. 16 from the over!

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Shortish and around off, angling away, Buttler swivels with his pull shot but misses.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Fuller and around off, Buttler drives it down to mid off where Williamson makes a tumbling stop. The batsmen cross as Kane scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. Buttler is safely in though. The ball deflects off the stumps towards and wrong-foots the mid-wicket fielder who was trying to back up the throw. Boult has to run and collect the ball and by then, the batsmen pick one more.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, FIVE WIDES! Runs are coming thick and fast. Trent Boult decides to bowl the effort ball. He bends his back to go short but it goes well over the batsman and the keeper for a boundary behind.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, Around off, on a length, Buttler pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, ! Shot! The last shot forces Boult to change his length. He goes a bit short but the line is wide outside off, Buttler latches onto the room and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Jos Buttler, ! Class written all over this shot! Trent Boult looks for some movement but in the process, he delivers it a little too full around off. There is a slight inward movement but Buttler covers it and drives it crisply down the ground for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fullish and on middle, shaping away a bit along with holding up from the pitch, Jonny Bairstow pushes it out a bit aerially but safely towards mid on. Top over by Tim!

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Around middle, nipping back in and beating the attempted cross-batted shot from Bairstow. It pings him on the pads and dies near the surface.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Fuller one, around middle, Bairstow stays back with an open stance and pushes it towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Delivers it on a good length at 134 kph, around middle and shaping down, Jonny fails to defend and wears it high on his pads.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, On a length and close to off, Jos taps it down towards cover-point and rotates the strike.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, ! Here comes the first boundary of the first semi-final. Southee stays full but the line again is on middle and leg, Buttler flicks it with great timing and finds the gap at backward square leg. A boundary results.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Fuller and around off, some movement there, Buttler pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, ! Again, a boundary on the last ball spoils a good over. This one is a bit streaky also. Back of a length, around off and angling away, Jonny Bairstow rocks back to crack it square of the wicket on the off side but it takes the inner edge and speeds past the stumps to the fine leg fence.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Short and around off, Jonny sways away from the line.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Fractionally short and around off, Jonny Bairstow punches it through the gap at covers for a brace.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Beautiful delivery. Some inward swing in the air as it lands fuller around off, Bairstow tries to play the trajectory but the ball lands and leaves him with the seam movement. Beats the outside edge by a whisker. Unplayable.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Trent Boult drags his length back and delivers it around leg, Jonny Bairstow tries to pull but misses. It hits him on the thigh pad and rolls towards backward point.

Trent Boult to Jonny Bairstow, Right on the money, as always. Boult lands it on a length around middle, Bairstow gets behind the line and defends it towards mid on.

Trent Boult set to steam in from the other end.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee attempts to repeat the same delivery from the middle stump line. But this time there is no movement and it skids on with the angle. Buttler tries to flick but misses. He is hit on the pads but only a muted appeal for an lbw follows. Missing leg.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Beaten all ends up! A lovely outswinger from Southee. Lands it close to off and takes it away with the seam movement, Jos has his feet rooted to the crease as he attempts to drive. Misses.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Quick run. A touch too full in length and around off, Bairstow gets behind the line and pushes it with soft hands towards mid on. They rush across for a single.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow, Southee pitches it up on this occasion, outside off, Jonny Bairstow drives it off the front foot but finds the fielder at covers.

Tim Southee to Jos Buttler, Southee begins with a short ball on middle, at 83 mph, Buttler stands tall and pulls it down to fine leg for a single. England are underway.

Here we go, folks! All set for the first semi-final of what has been a fantastic tournament. The teams stride out for the anthems. But before the anthems, the players and the officials along with the ground staff will observe a moment of silence for Mohan Singh, the chief curator of this ground, who recently passed away. Now, the anthem of New Zealand will be played followed by that of Great Britain.

Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, says it looks like a good surface and the dew can come into play and hence, he wants to bowl. Informs they are playing the same team. Adds it is a busy period for them, they are trying to build on the performances and the players are looking forward to the challenge. Further says that the experienced bowlers have stepped up to the occasion and the conditions have also suited them. Ends by saying the attitude out there is important and they would look

Tim Southee comes in for a quick interview as well. The Kiwi speedster says that they are very excited to be here. Adds that their experience with the ball has come in handy. Shares that losing Lockie Ferguson early was a big blow but Adam Milne coming in has done well for them.

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of England, says that he would have bowled first as well, as that has been the trend in this tournament. Hopes that the toss doesn't decide the game. Informs that Sam Billings comes in for Jason Roy. Shares that Roy missing out is devastating but it provides a hardworking guy like Billings a chance. Confirms that Bairstow will open the batting with Buttler. Mentions that New Zealand are a very good side and they cannot afford to take them lightly.

A quick chat with Jos Buttler. The English wicketkeeper says that he is keeping things very simple and is trying to take advantage of the Powerplay. Adds that not having Jason Roy is a huge blow as he is a massive part of the team but that gives opportunities to other guys. Says that the consistency by the bowlers has been great and starting well in the Powerplay has helped them a lot.

England (Playing XI) - Jos Buttler (WK), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (C), Sam Billings (In for Jason Roy), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

New Zealand (Unchanged Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway (WK), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.

Toss - Time for the all-important toss. Both, Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson are in the middle. The English skipper flips the coin, Tails is the call and it's a Tail. NEW ZEALAND ELECT TO FIELD!

... SHOW TIME ...

Pitch - The surface is expected to be two-paced and batting is going to be challenging. The batting side should look to make hay in the first six overs against a hard new ball.

It’s time for the first semi-final clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi! Hello and welcome folks, to a match that will hopefully be a thrilling battle between England and New Zealand. Well, we all know what we witnessed the last time these two sides met in an ICC World Cup, a game full of drama and probably the best ODI game to have ever been played. We will hope to see the same kind of fireworks in this big encounter and boy, if we do see it we are in for one entertaining evening.

The pre-tournament favourites, England, were always expected to make it to the semis. They did that in style by topping their group and getting big wins over strong opponents like Australia and West Indies. But the loss in the final game of the group stage against South Africa and more than that the loss of their prolific hard-hitting opener Jason Roy will be a little concern for the English team. Their middle order has not been tested enough in this tournament so far and if the Kiwis can make s

The Blackcaps started their campaign on a losing note but have come back stronger than ever and won all their remaining games thereafter and will come into this semi-final game pretty high on confidence. New Zealand’s bowling attack will be the key, as it has been throughout the tournament. Their batting on the other side has been inconsistent, we saw Martin Guptill and Daryl Michell play a few impressive knocks, and the middle order doing its fair bit to get New Zealand home. Not to forget,

A mouthwatering contest coming your way! It’ll be New Zealand’s fiery bowling attack up against the power-packed English batting. Will we see Kane Williamson seek his revenge and progress to the final? Or will it be Morgan and his men sending the Kiwis home? Don’t go anywhere, action coming up soon!