Two years since going toe-to-toe in a thrilling 50-overs World Cup final, England and New Zealand will again seek to deliver a knockout blow when they face each other in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 global showpiece in Abu Dhabi Thursday morning.
Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport
The clash pits contemporary cricket's most dominant white-ball team England against arguably the most consistent cross-format side New Zealand, who have reached the final of three of the last four major global tournaments.
The most dramatic of those finals was at Lord's in 2019 when Eoin Morgan's England were crowned 50-overs world champions via a now-scrapped boundary countback rule after the match ended in a tie.
Kane Williamson's team finally shed their bridesmaid's tag by winning the inaugural World Test Championship earlier this year and, like England, are now bidding to become reigning champions in two formats.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said their heartbreak at Lord's would have no bearing on their Twenty20 World Cup encounter.
"I'm not sure they're will be anything from the 2019 game that will really come into it," Stead told reporters ahead of the clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
"They are a quality side and I guess we just look forward to the challenge of playing the best side."
New Zealand were stunned by Pakistan in their Group II opener but went on to win four straight, with Trent Boult leading a sublime bowling unit backed up by twinkle-toed fielders delivering terrific catches.
With bat in hand, Martin Guptill has been the aggressor and Williamson the anchor, though their ability to chase down big totals remains untested.
Opponents England looked the form team until being beaten in their final Group I game by South Africa, that defeat felt even more keenly with the loss of opener Jason Roy due to a calf injury.
Roy's absence will force a top-order rejig with Jonny Bairstow likely to partner an in-form Jos Buttler, though the 2010 champions have plenty of other options in an explosive lineup.
"It is a massive blow, not just because of the way he bats but also because of what he brings to the field, and around the boys," all-rounder Moeen Ali said of Roy's absence.
The defeat by South Africa could also serve as a wake-up call to Morgan's team, ridding them of any complacency that may have crept in after four easy wins on the trot.
Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport
England will also have to cope with the absence of 20-overs specialist Tymal Mills, who was ruled out with a thigh strain suffered against Sri Lanka, and could be tempted to beef up their attack by including bowling all-rounder David Willey.
"You can bring in (James) Vince, you can bring in (Sam) Billings, you can bring in a bowler," Moeen said.
"The great thing is there's loads of options and loads of combinations that we can go with."
Williamson believes England will be a formidable opponent even without Tymal Mills and Jason Roy.
"They're both big players for England," Williams said.
"It's a real shame that they have suffered injuries in this competition. But I think one of the strengths of the England side is their depth that they've managed to produce over a period of time...
"They're still very much a very strong side who have been playing some really good cricket."
Williamson agreed Roy's absence affected how New Zealand would have otherwise planned against England's explosive top order.
"Whenever there's an injury, someone else comes in and you're not to know who they are until the toss," Williamson said.
"But you try and prepare and plan as best you can and then when you go out there you're sort of competing in the moment.
"Jason's a big player for England and has been playing really nicely and getting the team off to good starts along with Jos (Buttler).
"But as I mentioned, the depth on the England side is one of their strengths and we'll try and plan accordingly to the best of our ability."
-Reuters
