England struggle as Black Caps dominate

12 April 2012

England's top order were blitzed by injury-hit New Zealand in their final Champions Trophy group match at the Wanderers.

Andrew Strauss' team, already through to the semi-finals, lost three wickets inside the opening half-a-dozen overs in the day-night match.

Strauss, Joe Denly and Owais Shah all perished after the New Zealanders won the toss to leave England at 13 for three.

In similar conditions to those in which England reduced Sri Lanka to 17 for four in their opening Group B match, and with the floodlights on from the start, ball completely dominated bat.

Kyle Mills got the second delivery of the match to rear off a length and take the edge of Strauss' bat - England's bowlers had been examining the very spot before the toss took place.

Denly's off-stump was sent cartwheeling by a delivery from Shane Bond that nipped back.

Then, Shah, who smashed 98 against South Africa on Sunday to claim the man-of-the-match award, paid for an expansive stroke as his attempted pull off Bond provided a catch behind for wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

That meant Eoin Morgan, who continued as England's emergency wicketkeeper with first-choice Matt Prior still suffering from a virus, and Paul Collingwood were required to take stock at 13 for three.

Although Prior remains sidelined, it is hoped he will be fit for the semi-final stage of the competition.

Ireland-born Morgan, a star of the tournament in to date, kept in the 22-run win over hosts South Africa on Sunday which sealed England's last-four place. Andrew Strauss' team showed just one change from that victory over the Proteas with Ryan Sidebottom replacing Graham Onions.

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