The T20 World Cup is at its business with the four teams battling it out for a spot in the Final. Pakistan, New Zealand, England and Australia are the top 4 teams that have reached the semi-final stage of the elite tournament. New Zealand and England locked horns for the sport in the Final on 10th November and fans are going gaga over the ‘Trent Boult Moment’ that they witnessed during the knock-out game.
New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the English team gave them a competitive target of 167. At one point, New Zealand looked behind in the match, but it was the duo of Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham that helped the team reach their maiden T20 World Cup final. However, it was the ‘Trent Boult Moment’ involving Bairstow that became the turning point of the match.
Jonny Bairstow recreates ‘Trent Boult Moment’ in ENG vs NZ sem-final
The ‘Trent Boult Moment’ came in the 17th over when Chris Jordan was bowling to Neesham. England were in a strong position until Neesham’s counter-attack which took the game away from the English team. The fourth delivery of the over was a slower one by Jordan and Neesham hit it on the leg side but couldn’t get enough power. Bairstow put in a dive for the catch and completed it, however his knee touched the rope before passing the ball to Livingstone.
The catch is being hailed as the ‘Trent Boult Moment’ because something similar was witnessed by the fans in the 2019 World Cup which involved the New Zealand pacer Trent Boult. In the final of the 2019 World Cup, Ben Stokes hit a delivery by Neesham to the leg side and Boult caught the ball running backward. Unfortunately, the pacer’s foot touched the rope before he could throw the ball back in.
The incident involving Bairstow was a replication of the ‘Trent Boult Moment’ as both the times, the batsman got the benefit. In the end, it was Neesham’s blazing knock that played a crucial role in New Zealand’s victory. The Kiwis have entered yet another final and are looking solid to lay their hands on the coveted T20 Trophy.