CHESTER-LE-STREET (United Kingdom), July 3 (AFP): England were closing in on a World Cup semi-final spot on Wednesday, running out star batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to leave New Zealand in deep trouble in their final group game at Chester-le-Street.
The latest score available at 10:10 pm showed New Zealand slumped to 136/6 after 32 overs after Jonny Bairstow's second successive hundred had laid the foundation of England's 305-8.
In a match where victory for either side would see them into the semi-finals, New Zealand opener Henry Nicholls was lbw for a golden duck to Chris Woakes.
The left-hander, after consulting with opening partner Martin Guptill, decided against a review although replays suggested the ball would have cleared the stumps.
Guptill, the leading run-scorer of the tournament when New Zealand made it all the way to the 2015 World Cup final, then fell for just eight when a thin glance off Jofra Archer was brilliantly caught left-handed by diving wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
New Zealand captain Williamson came into this match with a tournament average of 113.50.
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