Finn, Wright guide England home

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Luke Wright hit a belligerent half-century and Steven Finn grabbed 3-16 to keep defending champion England’s hopes alive at the World Twenty20 with a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the Super Eights on Saturday.

Wright smashed 76 off 43 balls to guide England to 149-4 in 18.5 overs after New Zealand was restricted to 148-6.

Fast bowler Finn never allowed New Zealand to build momentum by claiming 3-16 and the Kiwis owed their total largely to James Franklin’s 33-ball 50.

England’s top order had crumbled in the previous two games, but Wright and Eoin Morgan (30) batted with plenty of aggression in an 89-run match-winning third-wicket stand.

It was the second successive loss for New Zealand after losing its opening match in a one-over eliminator against Sri Lanka. West Indies defeated England by 15 runs in its first match.

Brief Scores:

England 149-4 (Luke Wright 76, Eoin Morgan 30; Doug Bracewell 1-8, Daniel Vettori 1-20) def.
New Zealand 148-6 (James Franklin 50, Ross Taylor 22; Steven Finn 3-16).

by Rizwan Ali
Source: Island (Sri Lanka)