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Rediff.com  » Sports » Champions Trophy Images: England vs New Zealand

Champions Trophy Images: England vs New Zealand

Last updated on: September 30, 2009 

Image: Kyle Mills and Andre Strauss
Photographs: Reuters

England got off to a disastrous start, losing a wicket in the first over.

Kyle Mills's out-swinger bounced too much for Andrew Strauss, who could do nothing else but edge it to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

England hadn't even opened their account when Strauss was dismissed.

Bond removes Denley

Image: Shane Bond and Joe Denly
Photographs: Reuters

Shane Bond, who is making a comeback into the international side, showed his class, when he castled the other opener, Joe Denly, for just five runs.

The pacer fired the ball in; the England opener failed to get his bat down in time and found his off stump knocked off.

Vettori's fine gesture

Image: New Zealand players celebrate Collingwood's dismissal
Photographs: Reuters

With just 10 runs on the board, England's prolific scorer Paul Collingwood walked into the middle to revive the innings with Owais Shah.

Collingwood was declared run-out, but called back by Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori.

In a bizarre incident, Collingwood was walking out of his crease as wicketkeeper McCullum threw down the stumps at the striker's end.

The third umpire ruled Collingwood run-out, but Vettori decided to let him continue following the batsman's protests that he had left of the crease after hearing Daryl Harper call 'Over'.

Collingwood counter-attacks

Image: Collingwood

Having got a lease of life, Collingwood tried to make the most of it by punishing the New Zealand bowlers to all corners of the park.

With wickets tumbling at the other end, he counter-attacked them by hitting a straight six off James Franklin in the 16th over to take England's total beyond the 50-run mark.

Elliot makes further inroads

Image: Grant Elliot and Luke Wright
Photographs: Reuters

The introduction of medium pacer Grant Elliot seemed to change the course of the match. Elliot, in his second over, pitched one short, enticing Collingwood to go for a pull shot.

However, the ball came too quickly for Collingwood, who mistimed the shot and was caught by an outstretched Ross Taylor at square leg.

Elliot then picked up Luke Wright, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, finishing with impressive figures of four for 31 in 8 overs.

Bopara's resistance ends

Image: Ravi Bopara and Shane Bond
Photographs: Reuters

Shane Bond ensured that England were bundled out under the 150 mark as he dismissed England's last recognized batsman, Ravi Bopara.

Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson chipped in with vital runs but couldn't last and England were shot out for a paltry 146.

McCullum on fire

Image: Brendon McCullum
Photographs: Reuters

Chasing a modest 146, England would have wanted to deal some early blows.

However, a McCullum storm hit the England bowlers; he and Martin Guptill blasted the bowlers to all corners of the park.

The duo added 84 for the first wicket, paving way for an easy New Zealand win.

McCullum was dismissed by Stuart Board for a well-made 48, which included four boundaries and three towering sixes .

England fight back

Image: Stuart Broad and Grant Elliot
Photographs: Reuters

England's bowlers fought back and almost made a match out of it as New Zealand were reduced to 118-4 after a fantastic start.

Stuart Broad, who was the only bowler to return respectable figures, finished with four for 39 from 8.1 overs.

In the end, New Zealand knocked off the remaining runs and won with four wickets in hand.