T20 World Cup 2021, Semi-Final 1: England vs New Zealand, Stats Review: Daryl Mitchell’s half-century takes the Kiwis to maiden T20 World Cup final

Another ICC event and another final appearance for New Zealand! They certainly enjoy this tag of ‘Dark Horses’. Don’t they? The Kiwis met none other than England in the semi-finals and avenged the heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup final. The Three Lions put up a brilliant fight and looked in command for the best part. However, the Blackcaps eventually managed to chase down 167 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, winning the contest by five wickets.

Speaking of how the game panned out, the coin landed in New Zealand’s favour, and Kane Williamson elected to bowl. England couldn’t start off nicely as Jonny Bairstow got out cheaply. However, his other teammates came to the party. While Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan chipped in with handy cameos, Moeen Ali stood with a quick-fire half-century. As a result, England posted 166/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand started off slowly and England’s win looked a mere certainty for the best part. However, some brilliant hitting in death overs turned the tables around. Daryl Mitchell unleashed the Grant Elliott in him and played a staggering 72-run knock. Devon Conway and Jimmy Neesham also supported him well. As a result, the Kiwis crossed the line in 19 overs, winning the contest by five wickets.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from England vs New Zealand semi-final clash in T20 World Cup 2021:

167/5 – New Zealand recorded the highest successful run-chase in T20 matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, 167/5.

72 – Jos Buttler has now played 72 T20Is as the designated wicketkeeper, third-most for any player. Only MS Dhoni (98) and Mushfiqur Rahim (82) are on this list.

2 – Buttler now also has second-most runs by a wicketkeeper in T20 World Cups (534). Only Kumar Sangakkara (661) is above him on this list.

3 – New Zealand have now have qualified for the finals in the last three ICC events – 2021 T20 World Cup, 2019-2021 World Test Championship, 2019 World Cup.

51 – Moeen Ali recorded his first half-century in T20 World Cups. He scored a total of 51 runs in this game.

269 – Jos Buttler is now the leading run-scorer of the T20 World Cup 2021 with 269 runs.

11 – Trent Boult is now the joint-leading wicket-taker of the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup with 11 wickets. Adam Zampa has also taken as many wickets.

1 – For the first time in this T20 World Cup 2021, Ish Sodhi couldn’t take a wicket in his first over.

2,500– Daryl Mitchell accomplished 2,500 runs in T20 cricket.

100 – Daryl Mitchell also completed 100 sixes in T20 cricket.

50 – Daryl also recorded his maiden half-century in T20 Internationals.

400 – Devon Conway, with his third boundary in the match, completed 400 runs in T20 cricket.