England beat Kiwis to stay in contention

England's hopes of progressing to the Champions Trophy semifinals hung in the balance after Alastair Cook's 64 helped England set a target of 170 for New Zealand to win today.

England captain Alastair Cook survived three dropped catches by Nathan McCullum to score 64 out of his team’s 169 all out and lead his side to a 10-run win over New Zealand in a rain-reduced Champions Trophy Group A match in Cardiff.

New Zealand could make 159/8. Kane Williamson top-scored with a 54-ball 67.

Cook was dropped on 14 and 36 by McCullum, both the chances coming on the leg side from the bowling of left-arm medium-pacer James Franklin. The third, when the batsman was on 45, was a simple chance to point off Kane Williamson's off-spin.

McCullum finally held a catch from Cook off his own bowling when the England skipper hit the ball straight back to him. The New Zealand all-rounder did manage to grasp three other catches and England fell away after reaching 141 for three in a match reduced to 24 overs a side.

However, the score proved a bit too much for the Kiwis despite Williamson’s quickfire knock.

Brief Scores

England 169 in 23.3 overs (A Cook 64, J Root 38, K Mills 4/30)

New Zealand 159/8 in 24 overs (K Williamson 67, CJ Anderson 30, Anderson 3/32)