Moeen Ali fell cheaply for 5 before Liam Livingstone contributed a quick 20. Harry Brook also could not make much of a contribution, as he was dismissed for 7 off 3. Buttler’s innings also ended in the penultimate over as he was run-out looking for a quick single as he was sent back by Ben Stokes.
In the chase of 180, New Zealand lost Devon Conway to Chris Woakes for 3 as the batter’s scoop did not meet its target and was brilliantly caught by Buttler. Finn Allen also perished to Sam Curran for 16. Kane Williamson (40 off 40) added 91 runs for the third wicket before the New Zealand captain fell to Stokes. Phillips kept the fight alive for the team from one end, but James Neesham (6) and Daryl Mitchell (3) count not contribute. In the end, New Zealand fell well short despite Phillips’ heroics.
Speaking after the win, England captain and Player of the Match Buttler said, “I said at the toss that we didn't think too much about the past poor performance, we have great players in the playing XI and in the squad, we had the confidence that showed up today. It's a ruthless tournament, last year South Africa went out despite having 4 wins out of 5 games. This is a World Cup, there will be pressure and the best teams do thrive under it.”
--By A Cricket Correspondent