‘Choke job’: World reacts as New Zealand get revenge on England in Cup boilover

New Zealand has got its revenge over England the sweetest way possible with a stunning comeback to make the World Cup final.

Daryl Mitchell smashed an unbeaten 72 to lead New Zealand into their first ever T20 World Cup final with a thrilling five-wicket victory over England on Thursday morning (AEST).

Chasing 166 for victory, New Zealand were in trouble at 2-13 and 4-107 when Jimmy Neesham turned the semi-final on its head with an 11-ball 27 to help achieve the target with one over to spare in Abu Dhabi.

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With 20 needed off the final 12 balls, Mitchell smashed Chris Woakes for two sixes and a four before his 47-ball blitz triggered wild celebrations in the New Zealand dugout.

“We’ve played each other on a number of occasions, so we knew it would be a great game of cricket,” said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson whose team gained some semblance of revenge after losing the 50-over World Cup final to England on a Super Over in 2019.

“I am really chuffed with the heart that was shown throughout that performance.”

England had the game in their grasp … until it wasn’t. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

New Zealand will face either Australia or Pakistan in Sunday’s final.

“It was outstanding from Mitchell at the top. His character stood out, an incredible knock,” added Williamson.

“T20 cricket is a game of small margins. Jimmy came out and hit the ball hard, and changed the momentum of the game. Ultimately the deciding factor.”

Mitchell, the son of former All Blacks rugby coach John, said he was delighted to reach the final.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind, but nice to get the job done and move onto the big dance,” he said.

The Kiwis suffered early blows after Woakes struck on the third ball to send Martin Guptill trudging back to the pavilion for four.

The fast bowler then got Williamson’s prized scalp for five after the batsman attempted a scoop shot to be caught at fine-leg.

Mitchell and Devon Conway put on 82 runs for the third wicket but Liam Livingstone struck with his leg spin to have Conway stumped for 46.

Things looked grim when the Kiwis needed 57 from four overs but new man Neesham came to the rescue as he smashed Chris Jordan for two sixes — one of them nearly caught at the boundary by Bairstow but his knee touched the rope — and a four to get 23 runs from the 17th over — the most expensive England had bowled all tournament.

It reminded people of Trent Boult in the 2019 50-over World Cup final, when the Kiwi quick stepped on the rope and instead of a catch, gifted England six runs that ultimately proved crucial to the hosts’ history-making win.

Neesham finally fell to Adil Rashid’s googly with skipper Eoin Morgan holding on to a catch at extra cover.

In three blistering overs across 20 minutes, New Zealand belted 1/57 to storm home and book a place in the decider.

Bairstow couldn’t quite stay in. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Life in full circle: Neesham to Stokes in WC 2019 final, Boult caught but stepped on the boundary line & it was a 6. Eng won the WC

Jordan to Neesham in T20 WC SF, Bairstow caught but stepped on the boundary line & it was a 6. NZ reached their 1st ever T20 WC final @JimmyNeesh

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 10, 2021

‘Choke job’: World reacts to thrilling semi-final

It was clear England missed the specialist death bowling of Tymal Mills, who was injured earlier in the tournament and ruled out.

Sports content producer Jake Heasman said on social media: What an absolute choke job that was from England. Some of the worst death bowling you’ll see. Says it all the Livingstone was our best bowler!”

British sports editor Dominic Booth wrote: “Match losing over from Jordan. This is a huge bottle from England. Just so predictable from England with their death bowling. The big weakness has finally come home to bite. Fair play New Zealand.”

Cricket analyst Freddie Wilde tweeted: “#ENG World Cup campaign fell apart there in four brutal overs. Knock-out cricket is brutal & defined by the barest of margins.”

Commentator Daniel Norcross wrote: “Truly magnificent from New Zealand. Pretty much dead and buried after Livingstone’s last over, then win it with six balls to spare. Spectacular. Chapeau.”

Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle was in awe of the Kiwis. “Lord’s has been overcome. Daryl Mitchell! And Jimmy Neesham. This was worth being here for. What a team this @BLACKCAPS is,” he tweeted.

Former Black Caps quick Mitchell McClenaghan added: “Unreal scenes! What a performance.”

Indian legend VVS Laxman said: “Spectacular finish by Mitchell! Got to his fifty, almost unnoticed let Neesham tee off and then finished off the chase in style! New Zealand again make an ICC tournament final, nothing but admiration for them. Hard on England, but the Kiwis were just a little better on the night.”

James Neesham came to the rescue. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

England’s total not enough in the end

Earlier Moeen Ali smashed an unbeaten 51 to steer England to 4-166 after being invited to bat as Williamson won an all-important toss.

England lost their openers including Jos Buttler for 29, LBW to Ish Sodhi.

But Ali hit back with his 37-ball knock and put on a key partnership of 63 with Dawid Malan, who notched 41, for the third wicket.

Pace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult kept a tight leash in the first three overs before Buttler smashed two successive boundaries. The in-form right-hander tried to rebuild but an attempt to reverse sweep leg-spinner Sodhi got him trapped in front for 29 off 24 deliveries.

The opener, who moved past Pakistan’s Babar Azam as the leading batsman in the tournament with 269 runs, reviewed the call but replays suggested the ball would have hit his off stump.

The left-handed Malan, who was dropped on 10 by wicketkeeper Conway off Neesham, hit the first six of the innings off Southee in the 16th over but departed next ball caught behind.

But Moeen launched an attack as he hit Sodhi for a six and then smashed Milne for two hits over the fence.

Livingstone hit 17 off 10 balls before departing and Moeen completed his first fifty of the tournament with a boundary off Neesham.

Originally published as ‘Choke job’: World reacts as New Zealand get revenge on England in Cup boilover