Solanki Opens the Batting and Keeps Wicket for England against New Zealand

Craig McMillan (57) and Scott Styris (42) rebuilt after a fine start from England's opening bowlers, helping New Zealand to 164-9 off their 20 overs.

Darren Maddy, who had taken two wickets and a run out in the field, then struck a 50 to put England on course at 80-1.

However, they crumbled to 159-8 after that, meaning England must beat India and hope other results go their way.

It is an unlikely scenario for Paul Collingwood's side, who must defeat India by a big margin on Wednesday and hope that South Africa are well beaten by India and New Zealand.

And that after England had started so well, James Anderson taking two wickets and Andrew Flintoff, who looked in discomfort on his ankle throughout, and Stuart Broad one apiece as the Black Caps limped to 60-4 off the first 10 overs.

However, McMillan and Styris struck out in the middle overs, sharing eight sixes, and at one point the pair looked like taking the Kiwis to a huge score.

Maddy, recalled at Jeremy Snape's expense, looked to have kept England in it, though, with two wickets and a run out.

It was a vital contribution from the medium-pacer, who removed McMillan and dangerman Jacob Oram in his first over, having run out Styris with a fabulous piece of fielding from long-on.

And it was in stark contrast to fellow medium-pacers Paul Collingwood and Dimitri Mascarenhas, who received some brutal punishment as McMillan and Styris shared eight sixes.

After 10 overs of their reply, England looked on course, Vikram Solanki, who had acquitted himself well behind the stumps in the absence of the injured Matt Prior, and Maddy putting on 62 for the first wicket.

Daniel Vettori (2-20) came into the attack to turn things New Zealand's way, though, removing Solanki before Maddy was run out for exactly 50 after turning back on a needless run.

Kevin Pietersen struck a six and two fours as he attempted to lead an England rearguard action.

But he fell to Vettori attempting an ill-advised reverse-sweep and Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff went in quick succession to leave the chase in tatters.

Still the match looked to have turned England's way once again when Owais Shah combined with Luke Wright to put on 42 from 4.3 overs and leave them needing 20 off the last two overs to pull off victory.

But Shane Bond's final over proved decisive, with Shah being run out for 21 and the pace bowler dismissing Mascarenhas for a first-ball duck and Wright for 24 as England fell agonisingly short.

Source
BBC Sports