England have progressed to the World T20 final after crushing New Zealand by seven wickets in Delhi on Wednesday, thanks to a 44-ball 78 from Jason Roy.
New Zealand went into the clash as favourites after emerging from their group with a perfect record, but that was destroyed by an electrifying innings from Durban-born Roy, who single-handedly took the match away from the Kiwis.
England won the toss, but their decision favoured both sides as New Zealand were always going to bat first, having done so in all four of their group-stage victories. England were aiming for a first final since they won the showpiece in 2010, while the Black Caps went in search of a first World T20 crown.
Martin Guptill got off to a typically good start, hitting three boundaries in the first two overs, but David Willey, as he has done throughout the spectacle, claimed the first breakthrough, removing the dangerous Guptill for just 15.
Colin Munro was on the attack from the get-go, accompanied by the shrewd Kane Williamson, and they built up a 74-run stand, dominated by Munro, who hit 34 of his 46 runs in boundaries.
They fell in quick succession thanks to some clever bowling from Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett, but it was the death bowling that was particularly devastating from the English, as Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes got their yorkers spot-on, albeit Stokes’ wickets coming from mistimed full-tosses.
New Zealand could only manufacture 32 runs from their last five overs, deflating a total that had the potential to be huge. England had 154 to chase down.
It either comes off or it doesn’t at the top of the order for England. They showed that against the Proteas, and they did it again here, as Roy showed no fear in smacking four boundaries off the first Corey Anderson over. Alex Hales mostly watched from the other end as they went well above 10 an over in the powerplay overs. By the end of the sixth, they were 67 without loss. That proved the hammer blow. Roy kept going, and by the time he was was out, England needed only a run a ball.
That allowed Joe Root to steer his side over the line, but Jos Buttler was having none of that, and smashed 32 off 17, including a six to win the game, with 17 balls remaining. England will now face India or West Indies, both of whom have been champions, in the final.
