Champions Trophy

2009 Champions Trophy Grp B: New Zealand bt England

New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, topping Group B after a four-wicket win over England at Johannesburg.

Shane Bond and Grant Elliott shared seven wickets as New Zealand bowled England out for 146 and an opening stand of 84 between Brendon McCullum (48) and Martin Guptill (53) gave the Black Caps the platform from which to get home in the 28th over.

Top scorer in England’s innings was Paul Collingwood, who after being offered a remarkable reprieve by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, could only make 40. Kyle Mills grabbed the first wicket when Andrew Strauss edged a lifter to Brendon McCullum without a run on the board and Bond then dismissed Joe Denly (5), Owais Shah (3) and Ravi Bopara (30) while Elliott’s medium pace accounted for Collingwood, Luke Wright (4), Stuart Broad (1) and Graeme Swann (11).

On an uneven pitch, McCullum and Guptill played aggressively as boundaries flowed and McCullum hit four fours and three sixes to Guptill’s seven fours and one six. McCullum faced 39 balls and was dismissed when he was caught and bowled by Broad and although he then dismissed Ross Taylor (1), Elliott (3) and Gareth Hopkins (2), New Zealand held their nerve to get home, an unbeaten ten from Vettori and two from Franklin seeing them over the line.

New Zealand finish top of the group and England are now the second team from Group B to qualify for the semi finals.

Tags: Champions Trophy 2009, england, new zealand