Can England win World T20 after destroying New Zealand?
The five factors that have helped Eoin Morgan's team defy critics and grab a place in the final
England booked their place in the World T20 final on Sunday with a thrilling demolition job on New Zealand, led by Surrey batsman Jason Roy, who struck a brutal 78 off 44 balls to break the Kiwis.
New Zealand had been the standout side of the tournament but were undone by England's own brand of discipline and mayhem.
It was the discipline that came first. At 131-3 with four overs remaining, the Kiwis appeared on top. However, their innings stalled and they set England a relatively modest 154.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And then came the attack, as Eoin Morgan's team reached their target with seven wickets and 17 balls to spare.
"No one anticipated it could be that easy," says The Guardian.
England will now face either India or the West Indies on Sunday, each battling to become the first nation to claim a second T20 title.
"To reach a World Cup final in India with a bunch of kids and only one player who has played in the Indian Premier League... is a remarkable achievement for this England side," says Michael Vaughan in the Daily Telegraph.
It would be an even bigger shock if they won the tournament. How can they do it?
Brilliant death bowling
In the semi-final, New Zealand scored just 64 runs from their second ten overs and managed 20 off their final four. They would have been hoping for at least double that.
Those four overs, delivered by Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes, were "immense", says Simon Hughes in The Times. The pair had produced something similar when England bowled second in a nail-biting game against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. Jordan's ability to place a yorker and Stokes's apparent love of pressure make them a formidable pairing.
"The key is twofold for bowlers at that stage: having confidence to deliver a variety of balls, among which the yorker remains the most difficult to hit, and not being afraid of occasionally going for runs. It takes a brave type to volunteer for the job," says Mike Atherton, also in the Times.
Fielding prowess
In T20, where every run counts, there is little point in bowling well if you do not field well. But England were "sharp and error free", says Atherton, and that played a "big part" in restricting New Zealand.
The sight of David Willey sprinting round the boundary to save one run summed up the performance as much as the safely held catches in the deep. "They put in their best fielding performance of the competition in the semi-final, which shows they revel in the pressure of a big occasion," writes Michael Vaughan in the Telegraph.
Versatility
After their opening match defeat to West Indies, England have shown their versatility, mounting an epic run chase against South Africa, defending a low total against Afghanistan and staving off a stirring fightback by Sri Lanka. They used both defence and attack to beat New Zealand.
They have also learned from previous matches. Spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, for example, who were punished by Sri Lanka, were "flatter [and] bowled a slightly shorter length", says Simon Hughes of the Times.
England also execute plans well. The dangerous New Zealander Colin Munro was dismissed in the semi-final after Liam Plunkett "out-thought him with a deliberate line wide of off stump and Munro perished via a top edge to third man", says Cricinfo.
Exuberant batting
"A target of 154 would often encourage slightly conservative beginnings. England do not think like that these days; certainly Jason Roy didn't," says Cricinfo.
Roy's innings was the highlight of the semi-final. "Strong down the ground and square of the wicket, Roy's power was breathtaking and ensured the game was won in the powerplay," says Nick Hoult of the Telegraph.
He and Jos Butter, who polished things of with three sixes in four balls, have "the fastest wrists in the west", says Simon Hughes in the Times. That allows them to manufacture extraordinary shots.
Other big hitters include Alex Hales, who was happy to play second fiddle to Roy, and Stokes, while the likes of Root, arguably the most complete batsman in the game, Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali can also adapt their game and play according to the match situation.
Confidence in their ability
"The serenity with which they went about their business suggested they always knew things would pan out like this," says Jonathan Liew of the Telegraph. "They played like no harm would ever befall them: cricket that felt not just adept but blessed, not just skilful but deeply and profoundly enlightened."
Liew's colleague, Michael Vaughan, is definitely impressed: "I have been watching England since the 1992 World Cup and I have not seen a performance in a big game as good as that.
"They are brave and it looks like the majority of the side want to be the one who has to perform under pressure whether with bat, ball or taking a skier in the field. It is a wonderful enthusiastic culture to have when everyone wants to be that person."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Graham Thorpe obituary: 'chameleon' batsman with 100 England caps
In depth Cricketer's 'bottle in abundance' endeared him to fans
By The Week UK Published
-
The Ashes: can England mount a glorious comeback?
feature ‘Herculean’ task follows ugly scenes at controversial second test
By The Week Staff Published
-
English cricket is ‘racist, sexist and elitist’, says independent report
Speed Read Chair of governing body apologises after crushing indictment of the sport ‘at all levels’
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
England are the ‘undisputed kings’ of white-ball cricket
feature Ben Stokes scored the winning run as England beat Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Ben Stokes and England set up a ‘grand finale’ against South Africa
feature In an old-school Test victory at Old Trafford, England’s captain scored a century and took four crucial wickets
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Alarm bells’ for authorities: is there too much cricket being played?
Talking Point Ben Stokes quitting one-day internationals has sparked a debate over the packed schedule
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Bazball’: England cricket’s glorious new look
Why Everyone’s Talking About A staggering turnaround has taken place under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes
By The Week Staff Published
-
England’s epic win: Test cricket that was ‘quite simply, out of this world’
Why Everyone’s Talking About Victory over New Zealand was one of the most ‘glorious and scintillating’ in England’s history
By The Week Staff Published