T20 ICC WORLD TWENTY20 WEST INDIES 2010 - Super Eight: NZ Vs ENG

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England show Kiwis the WC door

Morgan Makes Light Of Pietersen's Absence To Take Team Into Semifinals

Gros Islet (Saint Lucia): England proved there was more to their batting than kevin Pietersen as they knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket win here onMonday. Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66 for four at the Beausejour Stadium.

        But, together with Luke Wright, who made 24, the former Ireland lefthander swung the game back England's way in a stand of 52 in just more than six overs.

       Morgan got out just before the finish but man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan, unbeaten on 20, ended the contest with five balls to spare when he pulled Kyle Mills for four.

       England, already though to the semifinals before this final Group E match even started, after defending champions Pakistan beat South Africa earlier in the day, ended the Super Eights with a perfect played three won three record.

       They will now face the runners-up in Group F in the first semifinal here on Thursday. "It's crucial that you keep the momentum going and stay in winning ways," said England captain Paul Collingwood at the post-match presentation ceremony. "There's areas to improve on again, but I'm absolutely delighted in how we've gone. A lot of credit goes to the bowlers."

       England's victory also meant Pakistan went through to the semi-finals as group runners-up afrter edging New Zealand on superior run-rate.

      New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori blamed repeated batting failures for his side's exit. "There were a number of factors (in losing this match), 150 was compertitive but about 10 below par," Vettori said. "We did well to fight back but Morgan and Wright's partnership took it away from us. We could have bowled better. We just haven't been able to put enough runs on the board."