Bairstow century powers England to 305-8 against New Zealand
Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 New Zealand's Tim Southee in action as England's Liam Plunkett looks on Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
DURHAM (Reuters) - Jonny Bairstow's second consecutive century at the Cricket World Cup powered England to 305-8 against New Zealand in their final group game at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday.
The match is crucial for England, with a win securing a semi-final spot but defeat leaving the door open for Pakistan.
After England won the toss and elected to bat, Bairstow smashed 106 off 99 balls and stitched together a 123-run opening stand with Jason Roy (60) before a middle order collapse opened the door for New Zealand.
Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Jonny Bairstow gestures to the fans as he walks off after losing his wicket Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Kiwi pacer Trent Boult struck twice to remove Jos Buttler and Joe Root, who had an unsuccessful review after he was caught behind trying to pull a bouncer to the fence with the third umpire detecting a very faint edge.
Ben Stokes struggled to get going, getting caught on the boundary for 11 off 27 as he tried to accelerate the innings while Eoin Morgan (42) was dismissed after an acrobatic catch by Mitchell Santner.
Jimmy Neesham (2-41) was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, getting rid of danger man Roy in his second over, while Matt Henry also chipped in with two wickets.
Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Jonny Bairstow celebrates his century Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
New Zealand have not qualified for the last four yet but, given their superior run rate, Pakistan would need a freak result against Bangladesh on Friday to leapfrog the Black Caps.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 New Zealand's Kane Williamson gestures at England's Liam Plunkett after Adil Rashid is dismissed Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithCricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 New Zealand's James Neesham celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of England's Chris Woakes Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffCricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Ben Stokes in action with New Zealand's Martin Guptill Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithCricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Ben Stokes looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithCricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Jonny Bairstow celebrates his century Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffCricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - England v New Zealand - Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, Britain - July 3, 2019 England's Jonny Bairstow in action Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
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