England have boosted their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 20-run victory over New Zealand.
Having lost to Ireland last week and their scheduled clash with Australia being washed out, England found themselves in a position where they realistically required maximum points against the Black Caps in Brisbane.
Jos Buttler's side proceeded to produce their best performance of the tournament with bat and ball, setting a target of 180 which New Zealand failed to achieve by only reaching 159-6.
Buttler was the star performer for his side, contributing 73 from 47 balls at the top of the innings before his bowling attack rallied during the closing stages of New Zealand's reply.
Alex Hales also played a key contribution, making 52 from 40 deliveries as he and Buttler put on 81 for the opening wicket, with Liam Livingstone's 20 from 14 taking England past the 150-mark.
Although the innings tailed off towards the end, 17 runs came from the final eight balls, ultimately making the difference come the end of the match.
Jos Buttler gets his 18th half-century in T20I cricket on his 100th cap 🙌
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While England dismissed Devon Conway (3) and Finn Allen (16) in the opening five overs, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips both steadied the ship and put their side in contention to chase down the total in front of them.
At one stage, 67 runs were required from 38 balls with eight wickets remaining, but Ben Stokes dismissed Williamson for 40 with his one over of the innings.
With Mark Wood dismissing James Neesham for six in the following over, New Zealand lost their way, the required run-rate rapidly increasing and leaving them to consider attempting to minimise the damage to their net run-rate.
Once Phillips departed for a 36-ball 62 with 45 required off 15 balls, that felt like the only option, and Mitchell Santner (16*) and Ish Sodhi (6*) put on a unbeaten 24 seventh-wicket stand which may yet prove important.
Nevertheless, England can be delighted with the manner of their victory, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes chipping in with figures of 2-26 and 2-33 respectively.
In terms of the group, New Zealand, England and Australia all sit on five points with one match remaining, with the respective net run-rates sitting at 2.233, 0.547 and -304.
New Zealand play Ireland and Australia face Afghanistan on Friday, a day earlier than England's tussle with Sri Lanka who may still be able to qualify depending on the results of the first two games.
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Darren Plant
