England beat New Zealand by four wickets in Colombo on Friday night, reaching 160 with three balls left after a tense chase that turned quickly in the last few overs.
New Zealand sent in after winning the toss, made 159 for 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen started well and put England’s bowlers under pressure but the innings slowed once the spinners came on.
England’s spinners kept things tight in the middle overs. Adil Rashid got Seifert out and later had Mark Chapman stumped while Will Jacks and World Cup debutant Rehan Ahmed took two wickets each to keep the score down.
Glenn Phillips top scored with 39, but New Zealand could not keep going as wickets fell often including Daryl Mitchell for 3 and Phillips bowled as England held them to a target they could chase.
England’s chase started badly. Phil Salt made 2 and Jos Buttler got out for a duck when England had only two runs and giving New Zealand early control.
Harry Brook tried to steady things with 26 and Jacob Bethell made 21 but England kept losing wickets at important times.
When Tom Banton was out for 33 with England 117 for 6, the chase looked in trouble then Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed turned it around with quick boundaries, making the last few overs a sprint.
Jacks finished with 32 not out from 18 balls and Ahmed made 19 not out from seven as England reached 161 for 6 in 19.3 overs.
The win strengthens England’s position in the Super Eights while New Zealand now need other results to go their way.
