England need 242 runs to win first ever World Cup

Sports Desk: New Zealand managed to post a modest score of 241 runs despite frequent fall of wickets in the World Cup final against England at Lord's on Sunday.

The top-scorers of the New Zealand side were Henry Nicholls (55) and Tom Latham (47).

Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett starred among England's bowlers and bagged three wickets each. Mark Wood and Jofra Archer picked one apiece.

Woakes bagged his third of the day in the 49th over, when he dismissed Tom Latham (47) — New Zealand's second top scorer. Earlier he had dismissed Colin de Grandhomme (16) — arguably the last hope for the Kiwis — in the 47th over.

Plunkett had picked his third wicket in the 35th over he dismissed James Neesham (19).

Plunkett had earlier picked two more crucial wickets, including that of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (30) in the 23rd over. Williamson was caught behind but was initially given not out by the umpire. However, England captain Eoin Morgan went for a review that led to the overturning of the original decision.

The New Zealand captain has been the backbone of the Kiwi batting and has scored 30 per cent of his team's runs in this World Cup. The score predictor, that showed 300 runs when Williamson was on the crease, dropped to 287 after his dismissal.

Plunkett then bowled opener Henry Nicholls (55) in the 27th over.

In the 34th over, Mark Wood had dismissed Ross Taylor (15)

Williamson, who joined Nicholls in the seventh over after Martin Guptill's (19) dismissal at the hands of Chris Woakes, took his time settling in on the pitch while his partner picked up runs. By the 19th over, the two had established a 50-plus runs partnership.

risingbd/Dhaka/July 14, 2019/AKA