Roy Muscles England into World T20 Final

Jason Roy's 78, off 44-ball proves crucial as England beat New Zealand by seven wickets to advance to the World Twenty20 final.

New Delhi: Jason Roy muscles England to 7-wicket win over New Zealand in semi-final 1 of T20 World Cup 2016 to qualify for final

England have progressed of their second World T20 final where they will take on the winner of the match between India and West Indies.

Roy made his intentions clear from the second delivery of the innings, when he hit Corey Anderson to the point fence. He was on his way and never looked back from there.

Alex Hales at the other end was looking to give the strike back to Roy, but managed to hit a few hefty blows himself.

New Zealand however got their first breakthrough in the ninth over, when Hales mistimed a delivery from Santner and holed out at long on.

Joe Root came in at No. 3. England needed just about run-a-ball at this stage, but that did not stop Roy from going for the big shots. He was eventually cleaned up by Ish Sodhi in the 13th over, bringing an end to a magnificent innings of 78 off 44.

New Zealand had a glimmer of hope when Sodhi removed Eoin Morgan off  the very next delivery, but Jos Buttler came out and blocked the hat-trick delivery.

England went on at a slow rate from there but they were well ahead of the required run rate and found no trouble in getting the remaining runs.

Earlier, England clawed their way back to restrict New Zealand to 153 for 8 in their 20 overs. Colin Munro top-scored for the Kiwis with 46.

New Zealand started off in an aggressive fashion with Martin Guptill taking on the bowlers in the initial stages. He was on his way, but a rash shot from him saw him dismissed caught behind off David Willey for a quick-fire 15.

Munro then walked in at No. 3. He has not been in particularly good form this tournament, but he showed his mettle in this innings, stitching a 74-run stand for the third wicket with Williamson.

England pulled things back extremely well in the final 10 overs. New Zealand were cruising at 89 for 1 after 10 overs.

England had won the toss and elected to bowl first. This will be England’s second appearance in a World T20 final after having beaten Australia in the final in 2010.

Brief scores
New Zealand - 153 for 8 (Munro 46, Williamson 32, Stokes 3-26)
England - 159 for 3 (Roy 78, Buttler 32*, Sodhi 2-42)
Result - England won by 7 wickets
MOM - Jason Roy (England)