Cricket World Cup 2019: England storm into semifinals with impressive win over New Zealand

Little more than a week after defeat to Australia left them fighting for their tournament lives, England are now making plans for their first appearance in the last four since 1992.

England are back on track at the World Cup.

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England qualified for the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 27 years with a 119-run win over New Zealand, who are also effectively heading to the playoffs despite a third straight loss.

Jonny Bairstow’s second consecutive century powered the hosts to 8-305 after electing to bat at the Riverside Ground, Durham.

Bairstow smashed 106 off 99 balls and stitched together a 123-run opening stand with Jason Roy (60) before a middle-order collapse opened the door for their opponents.

England are back on track at the World Cup.

But in reply, New Zealand lost their openers cheaply before two run-outs effectively derailed their chase as they were all out for 186 in 45 overs with only Tom Latham (57) offering some resistance with the bat.

And in one of the most freakish dismissals the tournament, skipper Kane Williamson - the rock of the Black Caps’ batting department - was run out at the non-striker’s end for 27 when Ross Taylor’s straight drive glanced off the fingertips of England paceman Wood and hit the stumps.

Little more than a week after defeat to Australia left them fighting for their tournament lives, Eoin Morgan’s England are now making plans for their first appearance in the last four since 1992.

They are now guaranteed to finish third in the table and will face either Australia or India at Edgbaston next Thursday.

The Poms are in heaven as key man Ross Taylor is run out.

Skipper Morgan said he thought his side were “outstanding” in their victory over the Black Caps.

“I thought we were outstanding today,” he said.

“It started again with the two boys at the top of the order laying a good solid platform playing in the way that they do and I thought Jonny (Bairstow) going on to get 100 was match winning today.

“It really was outstanding.”

New Zealand have not qualified for the semis yet but, given their superior run rate, Pakistan

The wicket of Kane Williamson was the turning point in the match.

would need a freak result against Bangladesh on Friday to leapfrog the Black Caps.

And captain Williamson is hopeful his side his side can still have a say at the business end of the tournament.

“It has been a learning curve adapting to a variety of surfaces,” Williamson said.

“In some ways, it starts again now. We have had a few losses recently but if we get to the semifinal stage, anything can happen.

“We know we haven’t played our best cricket yet.”