NWS: Kiwis ease into final
Monday, July 5 2004
New Zealand cruised to a six-wicket win at the County Ground in Bristol as they secured a place in Saturday's NatWest Series final despite Andrew Flintoff's first ODI century.
England gave Lancastrian paceman Sajid Mahmood his first International cap in place of Anthony McGrath, finally dispensing with all of their "bits-and-pieces" all rounders, but did not start well.
Inserted by Stephen Fleming, Marcus Trescothick was run out in the fourth over attempting a second to third man, having been dropped the same ball by Gareth Hopkins behind the stumps. Michael Vaughan and Rob Key then consolidated before Vaughan slapped Jacob Oram to Chris Harris at cover point and Key feathered Scott Styris to Hopkins.
Andrew Strauss and Andrew Flintoff came together with England rocking on 57-3, and though both were dropped very early on by Hamish Marshall, added a crucial 122 for the fourth wicket before Strauss (61) chipped Ian Butler to Nathan Astle in the leg side.
Now Andrew Flintoff, reprieved by Daryl Harper on 23 when he seemed to edge Chris Harris behind, took over and in partnership with Paul Collingwood pushed England towards respectability and brought up his first ODI century in the 48th over before falling to Butler in the final over.
Sajid Mahmood and Collingwood (20) both also fell in the final slog overs but England's 237-7 looked more than competitive on a difficult Bristol wicket. Butler took 3-57 but Jacob Oram's 2-27, including three maidens, was the stand-out.
In reply, England's bowlers - Harmison, as ever, excepted - seemed to lack the cutting edge necessary to cut through the Kiwi top order. After debutant Mahmood was mercilessly dealt with by Astle and Fleming in particular - going for 41 off 5 overs - only the return of Harmison ended the opening stand, Astle yorked for 53.
However, Hamish Marshall then added 104 with Fleming for the second wicket before being run out by Collingwood as Fleming attempted a quick single to go to his century. Scott Styris, in at four, didn't last long, only four balls before chipping Collingwood to Trescothick at midwicket. Fleming then followed in similar fashion to deny himself a century, but it was only a matter of time as Oram came out and thumped the winning boundary off Collingwood.
This win puts the New Zealanders into the final, and means that England have to beat the West Indies at Lord's on Tuesday to have any hope of setting up a chance of revenge over the Black Caps on Saturday
England 237-7
A Flintoff 106, AJ Strauss 61
IG Butler 3-57, JDP Oram 2-27
New Zealand 241-4
SP Fleming 99, HJH Marshall 55
PD Collingwood 2-47, SJ Harmison 1-38
New Zealand (5pts) beat England (1pt) by six wickets
CricketWeb Man of the Match: Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) - 99
Posted by Neil
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