4 reasons why England lost to New Zealand | ICC T20 WC 2021

England, the current champions of the 50-over format of the game, will not be in line to crown themselves the champions of the 20-over format as well. And who better to thwart them than New Zealand, the very team who lost the ODI World Cup final against them in 2019.

England were clear favorites to win the tournament to begin with, and to thump New Zealand in the semifinal as well. So, it should be said that when New Zealand beat them by 5 wickets and an over to spare, it was a surprise win of sorts.

And like any good surprise win, this has certain things that went beyond plan for England. Certain things, had they happened otherwise, that would have ended up leading to England being the winning party instead of New Zealand.

Here is a look at 4 of them:

---

#1 The injury to Jason Roy

England v South Africa - ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021

Roy came out to open the innings against South Africa in their last group game and had scored 20 off 15 balls before he could not even stand any longer. The opener even had to be helped off the ground.

England later announced that he had torn his calf during a single and will be replaced by James Vince. And just like that, England were on the back foot. Roy was their second highest scorer in the tournament behind Buttler, the other opener.

England had to replace him with Johnny Bairstow for the NZ game. Bairstow, who had scored 34 runs across 5 games at an average of 11 until that point. And in this particular game, he scored 13 off 17 balls before falling to Adam Milne.

The Roy-Buttler opening pair have a more established air of fear around them, and are capable of making bowlers make mistakes. With an out-of-form Bairstow coming in his place, their batting was visibly dented.

Click here for today's T20 World Cup match toss results.

---

#2 The injury to Tymal Mills

England v Sri Lanka - ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021

Tymal Mills might not be an England bowler who is known all over the world, but he certainly came into this tournament as the most essential. In the absence of Jofra Archer and Sam Curran, he was to be their deathovers specialist. Along with Chris Jordan, of course.

And deliver, he did. In the first 3 games he played, he picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 7.42, going for runs only against Australia. Then in the game against Sri Lanka he strained his right thigh and was ruled out of the tournament.

That left England with just one bowler who could bowl at the end of the innings. Mark Wood was hit all over the park against South Africa - he has always been a bowler who can breathe fire during the powerplays.

And against New Zealand both Jordan and Woakes were taken to the cleaners. They had nobody who could stem the runs from one end and ended up losing a game they had in their pocket up until that point.

#3 Losing the toss

Let's face it: the toss has been a major factor in this tournament. Sure, it has not been the only factor as some people make it out to be, but it has definitely been enough to sway fortunes a little.

And this is a game where England would have liked to have won the toss. Not because they aren't capable of compensating for losing it, but because they need a slight edge after losing key players to injury coming into the game.

Moreover, England are a very, very good chasing side. They have a batting line-up that is seemingly endless and every single one of them are big hitters of the ball who can accelerate at will. If England had won the toss this game and chosen to field, they would have had a higher chance of winning the match. Oh, well.

#4 Tournament New Zealand are just... different

England v New Zealand - ICC Men's T20 World Cup Semi-Final 2021

New Zealand has made it to the 2015 World Cup finals, the 2019 World Cup finals (barest of margins, anyone?), won the 2020 World Test Champions and now this. They have just made it a habit of firing in ICC tournaments. Where other teams come with added pressure, New Zealand appear to be at ease.

And the New Zealand that plays in bilateral series is very different to the one that shows up in ICC tournaments. The only team that comes close in terms of this ability is maybe Pakistan. Maybe.

Be it trusting Daryl Mitchell, who has never opened at the top level before, or be it finding unlikely heroes like Jimmy Neesham or Matt Henry when necessary. It is a combination of skill and luck that does not come by accident.

It is not fair to say New Zealand is simply a champion side that comprises of ordinary players unlike teams like England that are made of extraordinary players. New Zealand is a champion side, made of champion cricketers who take turns to showcase that.

Either way, they made it to yet another finals. No shame in losing to a team like that.