Black Caps end England’s purple patch
ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss shrugged off his side’s emphatic defeat to New Zealand, insisting it would have no bearing on their Champions Trophy chances.
The Black Caps’ four-wicket victory in Johannesburg ensured they reached the semi-finals by winning Group B and consigned England to their first loss of the tournament.
Already assured of a last-four place, England were dismissed for a meagre 146, albeit on a treacherous pitch, and New Zealand reached their target with almost 23 overs to spare.
Strauss, who fell for nought second ball, refused to be downcast but admitted his team must regroup quickly ahead of their last-four showdown against either Pakistan or Australia.
“There’s no point dwelling on it too much, the semi-final in Centurion is going to be completely different,” he said. “I don’t think it was a very good wicket for a one-day international. It was a big loss to lose.”
Friday’s semi will see England return to the scene of their inspired batting performance against South Africa, where they hit 323 runs. He added:“We’ve got to remember back to that and make sure we do it again.”
Strauss lost the toss on a track offering varied bounce, and after 27 overs England were staring down the barrel at 95-7. Paul Collingwood, ever England’s saviour, hit three sixes in a rearguard 40 but Grant Elliott took 4-31 as Strauss’s men wilted.
New Zealand did not hang about, smashing 75 off the opening 11 overs, but after Brendon McCullum’s 48 from 39 deliveries, they lost five for 27 as Stuart Broad ripped through the middle order for his 4-39.
“The batsmen needed a bit of luck to stay in. Paul Collingwood played well but we needed another batsman to stay there,” said Strauss. “It was very encouraging to see Stuart Broad bowl well and put them under pressure but we never quite had enough runs on the board.”
Despite being a pre-tournament laughing stock, England have progressed along with the unfancied Kiwis from a group containing one-day forces Sri Lanka and South Africa.