T20 World Cup: The first semi-final of the T20 World Cup is here. England vs New Zealand! This is not a new fixture for either of the two teams. The memories of the ICC 2019 World Cup would be ripe in the minds of cricketers from both nations.
Ben Stokes had steered England home in dramatic style after the penultimate ball went for a 4 over-throw deflecting off Stokes. It was a bitter way to end yet another trophy-less competition for New Zealand.
The Kiwis would be desperate to avenge that loss and try to salvage their lost pride.
Two Different Approaches
Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson have adopted two different approaches towards selecting their teams. England has gone batting heavy with Moeen Ali fulfilling the duty of a 5th bowler while the Kiwis have been stronger on the bowling front with Neesham batting at number 6.
Injury to Jason Roy might change England's plans with the batting order as they would try to sneak in Tom Curran for a game or two.
The match will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It will start at 7:30 pm IST on Wednesday. The pitch has been helping the batter more often this tournament. Thus, we might see the captain winning the toss choosing to bowl first.
England has played 21 T20s with NZ and has managed to win 13 out of them.
Squads:
England Squad: Jos Buttler(w), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, Eoin Morgan(c), Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, David Willey, James Vince, Reece Topley, Tom Curran
New Zealand Squad: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Todd Astle, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman