England, defending 167 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, remained in the game until the 16th over. New Zealand needed 57 off the last four overs and Chris Jordan conceded 23 in the 17th, tilting the scales in the opposition’s favor. The Kiwis eventually won the crucial game by five wickets and progressed to the final.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Nasser Hussain believes England’s semi-final against New Zealand panned out the same way as the 2016 World T20 final.
While Hussain admitted Chris Jordan was mediocre, he feels David Willey could’ve offered the variety to England’s attack with Tymal Mills injured. Hussain added:
Although Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten knock of 72 was critical, Kiwi all-rounder James Neesham turned the tide for his team. Neesham’s 11-ball 27, containing three sixes, entirely shifted the momentum towards New Zealand.
“Jordan’s death bowling has not been quite as good in the last year or so” - Nasser Hussain on England’s bowling
Although Hussain believes Jordan hasn’t quite proved his mettle as a death bowler recently, he didn’t pin the blame entirely on the pacer. Hussian stated it just wasn’t England’s day with the ball.
The Kiwis’ World T20 final opponents will be decided on Thursday when Australia and Pakistan face off in the second semi-final in Dubai.
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