MANCHESTER: A spectacular fight to the finish saw a disciplined New Zealand side outclassing tournament favourites India by 18 runs on Wednesday and advancing to the final of the Cricket World Cup 2019.
A 116-run seventh wicket partnership between former skipper MS Dhoni (49) and Ravindera Jadeja (77) troubled New Zealand in the middle overs the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, but fine death bowling and a spectacular display of fielding gave the Kiwis the last laugh.
Henry took three wickets while Santner and Boult picked two wickets each.
The Indian top order had earlier collapsed in the face of New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and fielding at the Old Trafford, as they chased a 240-run target in the rain-affected first semi-final.
The Indian side had lost five wickets in 25 overs with only 77 runs on the board, with four of their five top-order batsmen returning to the pavilion after scoring in single-digits.
The seventh wicket partnership between Dhoni and Jadeja brought India back into the game from a near-impossible situation, only for the Kiwis to later outclass the Asians by 18 runs.
The opening semi-final of the Cricket World Cup was restarted on the second day after rain prevented the match finishing as scheduled on Tuesday. New Zealand was 211-5 off 46.1 overs when persistent rain worsened sufficiently for the umpires to halt play at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT).
New Zealand managed to get to 239 runs for the loss of eight wickets after resuming today and playing the remaining 23 balls of their innings.
Ross Taylor top-scored for the Kiwis with 74 runs off 90 deliveries while captain Kane Williamson hit 67 off 95. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took three wickets for 43.
No reserve days were scheduled for the group matches of this World Cup, which has already featured a record four washouts.
Tournament hosts England and reigning champions Australia will contest the second semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday, with that match able to continue on to Friday if a reserve day is required.
