Those back-over travails could be remedied in Australia next year by the returns of Archer and Mills, who are not only two of England's finest performers at the death but also the game's. Kevin Pietersen says losing fast bowler Tymal Mills to injury earlier in the tournament was huge for England, who needed his skillset in the semi-final
Chris Woakes' 19th went for 20 as Mitchell drilled successive sixes and then a match-winning four off a full toss.
Adil Rashid's 18th went for 14 as Neesham and player-of-the-match Daryl Mitchell swatted a six apiece. Jordan's wide and boundary-infested 17th over went for 23 due to his errant deliveries and Jimmy Neesham slamming him for two sixes and a four. New Zealand then thundered 57 runs from the final 18 balls of Wednesday's semi-final to get home with an over to spare. It did cost England against South Africa, though, as they ended their group campaign with a 10-run loss - Proteas pair Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram creamed 71 runs from their final five overs, punishing Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and Mark Wood when they missed their mark. There were warning signs during the win over Australia in the Super 12 stage, when Aaron Finch's side plundered 50 runs from the final four overs, though that did not cost England, with Australia only posting 125 all out and Buttler tonking his side past that total with 50 balls in reserve. Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton discuss England's death bowling and how Liam Livingstone impressed in the UAE If they had, they would be preparing for Sunday's final. In the main, their fielding was exceptional as well.īut one thing they did "not get quite right", as Nasser Hussain observed in the wake of Wednesday's loss to New Zealand, was their death bowling. Blistering displays with the bat - shown by the way Buttler destroyed Australia and finished his innings against Sri Lanka. The ability to adapt - shown by Moeen Ali being given the new ball in certain matches and the way Jos Buttler plotted his superb century against Sri Lanka on a sticky pitch. Powerplay wickets - they took 15 of them across their six games. Morgan's men did much right in this World Cup. Evolution is perhaps even too strong a word.Ī few minor tactical tweaks and the return of some key players should have England right in the mix, and possibly even favourites, for the next T20 World Cup in Australia a year from now.