India vs New Zealand World Cup result: Thrilling semi-final goes down to the wire
The two met at Old Trafford on the reserve day after play was postponed for rain on Tuesday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand are into the World Cup final after a thrilling win over India.
The Kiwis posted 239 following Tuesday's rain delay and looked destined to cruise home when they removed Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli with the new ball. But a brilliant fightback from Ravi Jadeja and MS Dhoni saw India roar back into it before Trent Boult's saw off Jadeja before Dhoni was run out in dramatic fashion at the death.
New Zealand will now face either England or Australia in Sunday's showpiece.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
A tweak to the field - a single regulation slip and a wider fourth-slip-cum-gully, guarding against the Williamson run down. Virat Kohli is the man stationed there. Kumar continues.
7.0 - New Zealand 10-1, K Williamson 6, H Nicholls 3, B Kumar 0-8 (4)
And an even quirkier fielding position for the Indian captain - a short backward point, catching, with cover from the magnificent Ravindra Jadeja behind him, one ball after the left-arm spinner had saved four with a full length dive to his left. First slip slides round to the position Kohli vacated. They're asking Williamson to do something different.
Two from the over.
7.1 - New Zealand 11-1, K Williamson 6, H Nicholls 4, J Bumrah 1-3 (4)
Close! A short ball from Bumrah for the first time, pitching outside leg and springing up to the left-handed Nicholls and asking him to pull against the angle. He chances an attacking shot and is fortunate that the top-edge falls just past the forward square-leg fielder running back.
8.0 - New Zealand 18-1, K Williamson 7, H Nicholls 10, J Bumrah 1-10 (4)
Round the wicket comes Bumrah as Henry Nicholls works a couple past midwicket, and nearly the change of action bears fruit, angle in and harsh nip away, and oohs and aahs behind the stumps as the ball just evades the outside edge. Nicholls survives.
And that's a healthy riposte. A touch fuller, full enough for Nicholls to drive, and a high-class rattler to the extra-cover fence.
9.0 - New Zealand 23-1, K Williamson 12, H Nicholls 10, B Kumar 0-13 (5)
Something of an approving nod from Virat Kohli as Kane Williamson leans an on-drive past the mid-on fielder. Urbane.
This is a good pitch, I reckon. There have been a couple of balls that have nipped around but there hasn't been much in the way of swing, the bounce seems even and there's an invitingly quick outfield to encourage the batsmen. Williamson scampers a single from Kumar's last.
Hardik Pandya to take up the charge in the place of Bumrah. Virat Kohli keeps six overs from his best bowler in the bank.
10.0 - New Zealand 27-1, K Williamson 14, H Nicholls 10, H Pandya 0-4 (1)
New Zealand's running has been a little bit spotty during the World Cup, and Nicholls and Williamson both have uncomfortable moments between the wickets as they look to push the fine leg fielder on two occasions. Safe enough.
Four from Pandya's first, and that's the close of the opening powerplay.
New Zealand won the toss, but the first ten overs is certainly India's. They've bowled brilliantly, tight of line and of length and removing Martin Guptill inside five overs. But New Zealand have stayed firm since that departure, focusing on survival rather than scoring, and they'll look to continue to build a platform.
A different challenge - Ravindra Jadeja with a slip.
11.0 - New Zealand 34-1, K Williamson 16, H Nicholls 15, Ravindra Jadeja 0-7 (1)
Turn for Jadeja - past the leg-side flick of Henry Nicholls and into the top of the pads. Turning down, methinks. Umpire's call! Close!
Nicholls responds with the sweep, which was very much the plan-of-attack against spin for New Zealand in India a couple of years ago, and sweeps firmly past leg-slip for four.
12.0 - New Zealand 38-1, K Williamson 20, H Nicholls 15, H Pandya 0-7 (2)
Williamson throws his head back in disgust as he neither attacks nor defends a good length ball on about a fifth-stump line from Pandya. A bad shot to a good ball, but no nick.
That's more like it - swivelling to pull a not dissimilar ball, across his stumps in his trigger and collecting four. Far from perfectly timed, but into a sizeable gap.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments