ICC World Twenty20
England, Kiwis eye T20 semis
2012-09-28 13:13
Pallekele - Defending champions England and New Zealand hope to put their World Twenty20 campaigns back on track after losing their Super Eights group one matches in Pallekele stadium on Thursday.
England were edged out by 15 runs in an exciting finish to their match against the West Indies, while New Zealand fought back to tie the regular match before going down in Super Over to the hosts Sri Lanka.
England next face New Zealand on Saturday, a must-win match for both the teams, with Stuart Broad relishing the challenge.
"The next two games are must-win," said Broad, whose team also face Sri Lanka on Monday. The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-finals before the October 7 final in Colombo.
"That's a good place to be as well. You have clear targets of what you have to achieve. We've played on this ground, know what to expect. We have two huge games and some positive signs. We just need to put it all together."
Broad said New Zealand were a big challenge.
"We know the dangers they pose. They have a powerful batting line-up with (Brendon) McCullum, (Martin) Guptill and (Ross) Taylor," Broad said, also naming left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori as England's nemesis.
"Vettori has been a thorn in our side for a long time. It's important we don't look too much at the opposition," Broad said, expressing his hope that England don't lose early wickets as they did against the West Indies.
England lost Craig Kieswetter and Luke Wright for ducks in paceman Ravi Rampaul's first over before Eoin Morgan (71) and Alex Hales (68) took the fight to the last over before falling short.
"To lose two wickets like we did was frustrating. It was always going to take some overs out of the game. The plan was to keep wickets in hand and explode in the last eight overs. We didn't quite get there," said Broad.
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor praised his team's fightback in their thriller against Sri Lanka.
"To lose tight matches is always disappointing, but from the situation we were in I thought we fought back very hard and never gave up. I am proud of the way we fought to the bitter end," said Taylor.
Defending a 175-run target, New Zealand had the match slipping away from them after Tillakaratne Dilshan (76) and Mahela Jayawardene (44) put on 80 for the opening wicket, but they pulled back through accurate bowling to force a tie.
Sri Lanka clinched the Super Over by scoring 13 to New Zealand's eight.
Taylor showed no worries over playing again after only a day's gap.
"Getting straight back on the horse will be good. We'll reflect on it and be disappointed. But we have to scout England and see how they go. You've got to take every game as it comes and takes positives from the last match," said Taylor.
New Zealand's last match in the group will be against the West Indies on Monday.