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2nd Semi Final: England v New Zealand, live ball-by-ball commentary



2nd Semi-Final: England v New Zealand
New Zealand 93 (10/10 overs)
Oram 52, Vettori 36, 5 extras
Hollioake 2-44, Flintoff 0-70
England 40 (10/10 overs)
Hollioake 25, Flintoff 9, 6 extras
Vettori 7-59, Oram 2-70

9.1 Vettori to Hollioake - 4 - pull through mid wicket
9.2 Vettori to Hollioake - 6 - same place, six this time, crowd know it's in vain though
9.3 Vettori to Hollioake - 1 - tries the same thing - mistimed, just 1
9.4 Vettori to Flintoff - OUT -10 - oh dear, hit it well but out at mid off
9.5 Vettori to Flintoff - OUT -10 - whoops it's not Freddie's day is it
Went straight up in the air, and the same mid-off fielder took the catch.
9.6 Vettori to Hollioake - 6 - some consolation there, perhaps the biggest six today, almost over the stand at mid-wicket and out into the car park.
So New Zealand go through, winning by 53 runs.
We'll just wait for the scorers to confirm the score, we think it's 40
Flintoff 9 Hollioake 25 extras 6

England lost too many wickets there, and the 10 run penalty really sets you back. As you try to hit harder to recover, you take more risks, and get out more.

Vettori 7-59 - what figures in a 10 over contest!
Oram 2-70 was on the receiving end of a lot of Flintoff blows


8.1 Oram to Flintoff - 6 - that's over the Pitons!
Not the mountains, the party stand. Big pull. Lovely to see.
8.2 Oram to Flintoff - 4 - that is something special. Stepped outside leg and drove through off, timed it beautifully.
8.3 Oram to Flintoff - 1
8.4 Oram to Hollioake - 6 - nice shot lofted over long off
8.5 Oram to Hollioake - 4 - that's another authoritative shot from the Surrey man through the covers
8.6 Oram to Hollioake - WIDE - down leg, good tumbling stop from Flower
8.6 Oram to Hollioake - 1 - pushed into the covers
Score 43: Hollioake 29 Flintoff 7 Extras 6

7.1 Vettori to Flintoff - 3 - 1 and 2 overthrows, sloppy work there
7.2 Vettori to Hollioake - 1 - doesn't get hold of a pull goes to midoff
7.3 Vettori to Flintoff - 1
7.4 Vettori to Hollioake - 1
England look resigned to their fate now
7.5 Vettori to Flintoff - 1
7.6 Vettori to Hollioake - 6 - that's more like it, nice one Adam. Just over the despairing fielder's head.
England now up to 30: Hollioake 18 Flintoff 5

6.1 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - flicked into the on side for 1
6.2 Oram to Hollioake - 0 - short outside leg, lucky it wasn't a wide
6.3 Oram to Hollioake - OUT -10 - pulls a slower ball right down deep square leg's throat
England -6
6.4 Oram to Flintoff - 6 - straight back over Oram's head, the Woodworm bat doing the business here for Freddie
6.5 Oram to Flintoff - 6 - big pick up shot over mid wicket. Another great shot, the crowd love it
6.6 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - driven nicely out to long on
England only have 7 to show for their efforts to date! Need some big hitting now - just 3 overs left.

5.1 Vettori to Hollioake - 1
5.2 Vettori to Flintoff - 6 - no culture about that! Big slog into midwicket stand. Lovely stuff.
5.3 Vettori to Flintoff - 1 - out to long on
5.4 Vettori to Hollioake - OUT -10 - oh dear wheels coming off here. Aimed a big swipe at Vettori and stumped by Flower.
5.5 Vettori to Hollioake - OUT -10 - oops, mid off in action again, easy catch on the boundary
5.6 Vettori to Hollioake - 1 - mistimed again, straight up in the air, Oram drops it. That would have been the first Double Wicket hattrick!
England on 3 after 6 overs. Not going to plan.

4.1 Oram to Hollioake - 1 - quick single into the off side, wild throw from Vettori, batsmen home
4.2 Oram to Flintoff - 6 - a real clubbing blow from Freddie straight over the bowler
4.3 Oram to Flintoff - 4 - through square leg
4.4 Oram to Flintoff - OUT -10 - threw himself into that, didn't get hold of it as he tried to get it through leg. Looped to point. Easy catch
4.5 Oram to Hollioake - SIX - nice one Adam, he's in form here, over mid-wicket towards the Piton stand
4.6 Oram to Hollioake - 1 - same shot, different result as it dribbles out to mid wicket
5 overs gone only 13 on the board.
Flintoff -8 Hollioake 16

3.1 Oram to Flintoff - 4 - makes room, cuts through the off side over the fielders
3.2 Vettori to Flintoff - OUT
good catch at mid off - full toss from Vettori
England now in minus runs again
3.3 Vettori to Flintoff - 1 - shy at the stumps, men are home
3.4 Vettori to Hollioake - 4 - time for plan b - caution to the wind. This one over mid off for a well struck 4.
3.5 Vettori to Hollioake - 4 - down the pitch, stroked over the off side field for 4
3.6 Vettorio to Hollioake - 1 - full toss
End of the 4th over score is 7: Flintoff -6, Hollioake 8

2.1 Oram to Flintoff - 4 - straight drive down the ground
2.2 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - lovely stop in the covers by Vettori
The crowd liked that - very knowledgeable here in St Lucia
2.3 Oram to Hollioake - 1 - big swing, doesn't connect, rolls into the off side
2.4 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - out to mid off, no effort from the fielder to catch it as it bounces in front of him
The crowd are starting to barrack the fielders who have struggled today.
2.6 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - tries to make room, goes about 2 inches, they take a single as Hollioake gets in the way of the bowler

It's going to be Daniel Vettori from the Media Centre end
1.1 Vettori to Flintoff - WIDE
1.1 Vettori to Flintoff - OUT -10 - bowled him
1.2 Vettori to Flintoff - WIDE
1.2 Vettori to Flintoff - 0 - caution here from Freddie
1.3 Vettori to Flintoff - 0 - tries a sweep, appeal, not out
1.4 Vettori to Flintoff - 1 - pushed to mid off for 1 - Oram fields
1.5 Vettori to Flintoff - WIDE
1.5 Vettori to Hollioake - WIDE
1.5 Vettori to Hollioake - 0
1.6 Vettori to Hollioake - OUT -10 - drives it crisply to mid off, straight to Oram who holds it easily
Bad over for England there - they're down to minus 6!
England -6

Here goes, the batsmen coming out now. Both are wearing helmets, Flintoff to take first strike.
Oram warming up at the Pavilion End
Fielding restrictions for the first 5 overs allow only 2 fielders outside the circle. They are at long on and long off.

0.1 Oram to Flintoff - 1 - off the mark with a nice on drive
0.2 Oram to Hollioake - 0 - drops it down to third man, think of a single, think again
0.3 Oram to Hollioake - 4 - that is a beautiful shot, all timing through the off side, just leant on a half volley and bisected the cover fielders
0.4 Oram to Hollioake - 4 - another great shot, more force this time, through extra cover on the up
0.5 Oram to Hollioake - 0 - fired in at his legs, back to the bowler
0.6 Oram to Hollioake - 0 - dropped by the bowler, hard chance, hit back to him high. Oram jumped and got it with both hands but couldn't hold on
A good start for England - on target with 9 - 8 to Hollioake, 1 to Flintoff


New Zealand innings:

9.1 Hollioake to Vettori - 4 - straight drive down the ground. That's a cultured shot by the now helmetless Vettori
9.2 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - through the on side think of a second, turn it down
9.3 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - out to long off front foot shot
9.4 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - front foot push into the covers
2 balls left
9.5 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - nice fielding by the man at cover, runs round and picks up one handed
9.6 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - have to be content with 1 as it goes out into the on side
Score 93: Oram 52 Vettori 37

Pretty good total that. Not much chance for a break really, just 5 minutes until the England boys come out.
The disco plays a gentle soul track and then discovers it's at the wrong speed - they speed it right up and the crowd is jumping again. The music here puts the efforts at English grounds to shame - oh for a taste of the Carribbean at Lord's!

Best crowd of the weekend here today - I expect they were hoping for a West Indies Pakistan final. As it is it's Sri Lanka against either England or New Zealand.

We've had a request that the Double Wicket comes to the USA - we know there are loads of cricket fans out there in the US, so we'll pass that on to the organisers. As it is, this tournament stays in St Lucia for the next 10 years, so I recommend you book your flights for next April to see the stars of cricket at one of the best venues in the region.

Freddie got a bit of tap there - can only think he wasn't fully expecting to be here this morning. His batting can be explosive though, and that could be what England need to get them through to the final.

If you have any questions about the tournament, just send us a mail to the address at the top of the page.


8.1 Flintoff to Oram - 2 - driven through the cover fielder, to be fair a nasty bounce
8.2 Flintoff to Oram - 2 - WIDE
8.2 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - driven out to long off, fielder shys at the bowler's end and Flower comes round to tidy up
8.3 Flintoff to Vettori - 4 - great shot, sort of a pull/glance through backward square
8.4 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - quick single, shy at the stumps, batsman at the bowler's end was home
8.5 Flintoff to Oram - 0
8.6 Flintoff to Oram - 6 - wow, that's another big one. Oram has been a revelation here, and that's another big straight hit.
Score 84: Oram 50 Vettori 30

Leg side field being packed
7.1 Hollioake to Oram - 1
7.2 Hollioake to Oram - 4 - inside out through the off side
7.3 Hollioake to Oram - OUT -10 - bowled him, that's a useful wicket
7.4 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - driven to mid on
7.5 Hollioake to Vettori - 0 - out to the point fielder
7.6 Hollioake to Vettori - 2 - pulled through leg to cow corner, fielders converge and they take a couple
Good over that for England
NZ 67: Oram 39 Vettori 25
2 overs left

Flintoff around the wicket
6.1 Flintoff to Oram - 4 - another lofted drive through the off, lovely shot very effective
6.2 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - tried a big drive, squirted down to fine leg for 1
6.3 Flintoff to Vettori - 3 - into the leg side for quick single, shy at the stumps, no backing up , then another shy, another overthrow. Shambolic fielding here.
6.4 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - tight delivery pushed into the off side for a single
6.5 Flintoff to Vettori - WIDE - down the leg side, not a good delivery
6.5 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - that's all he can do with that, nice bowling from Freddie, he's looked good on this trip
6.6 Flintoff to Oram - SIX - a very big six into the pavilion. Stand and deliver style from Oram, just played through the line.
Score is 69: Oram 44 Vettori 22
3 overs left

5.1 Hollioake to Vettori - 2 - driven to long on
5.2 Hollioake to Vettori - 0 - well bowled, his magic ball I think. Played well, back to the bowler.
5.3 Hollioake to Vettori - 4 - poor ball and pays the price. Half volley outside off stump, put away through cover.
5.4 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - driven down to long off
5.5 Hollioake to Oram - 0 - inside out through the off, doesn't get hold of it
5.6 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - inside out again, take on the fielder
Score is 52: 32 Oram 18 Vettori

4.1 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - good ball, played back to the bowler
4.2 Flintoff to Vettori - 4 - driven over the mid-on fielder, not much of an effort to jump there as the ball flys over his head
4.3 Flintoff to Vettori - 0
4.4 Flintoff to Vettori - 4 - gets on the front foot and driven through midwicket. Nice shot, fielder nowhere again.
4.5 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - short on the leg stump, single to square leg
4.6 Flintoff to Oram - WIDE - outside the off stump Flower collects
4.6 Flintoff to Oram - 4 - stand and deliver, through the leg side, powerful and confident shot off the England all-rounder
Score is 44 off 5 overs: Oram 31 Vettori 11

3.1 Hollioake to Vettori - 4 - intelligent cricket here from Vettori, leg glace flies to the boundary.
3.2 Hollioake to Vettori - -10 OUT - tried a similar shot, leading edge flew to backward point. Bit of movement for Hollioake.
3.3 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - same ball, squeeze a single
3.4 Hollioake to Oram - 1
3.5 Hollioake to Vettori - 4 - not a good ball, buffet bowling from Hollioake
Pulled down to mid-wicket
3.6 Hollioake to Vettori - 1
Score after 4 overs is 30: Oram 27 Vettori 3 (he lost 10 for that dismissal)

2.1 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - Battle of the big men, this time Oram on top
2.2 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - Driven out to mid on
2.3 Flintoff to Oram - 4 - Oh dear oh dear, another fielder not on Freddie's Christmas card list as he mistimes a dive at third man to an edge from a full toss
2.4 Flintoff to Oram - 1
2.5 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - driven out to mid off
2.6 Flintoff to Oram - 6 - that is HUGE. A big six into the stand at mid wicket. Came down the pitch to an under-paced Flintoff and swung. Good connection and well over the ropes.
Score is 30: Oram 26 Vettori 4

Hollioake now off his full run.
1.1 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - out to mid off, another howler from the hapless fielder
1.2 Hollioake to Oram - 0 - out to the same man, no mistake this time
1.3 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - short on leg, lofted off front foot into on side, easy 1
1.4 Hollioake to Oram - 1 - drives up to mid off, Hollioake taking pace off an already slow ball
1.5 Hollioake to Vettori - 2 - down to deep square off a leg side flick
1.6 Hollioake to Vettori - 1 - good shot for one out to the boundary at mid wicket
Andy Flower is the keeper here for England, the fielders are made up of local St Lucian players

Freddie Flintoff and Adam Hollioake are the England players.
Flintoff measuring out his run, and Jacob Oram to take strike.
0.1 Flintoff to Oram - 0 - short outside off, tries to pull, beaten for pace
0.2 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - good ball, straight, Oram pushes it to mid off and takes a single
0.3 Flintoff to Vettori - 0 - another decent delivery Vettori can only push it up to mid off
0.4 Flintoff to Vettori - 1 - short on leg stump, glance/pulled to deep fine leg
0.5 Flintoff to Oram - 6 - wonderful shot. Got down on one knee to drive through off and lofted it over cover. That really is one of the shots of the tournament.
0.6 Flintoff to Oram - 1 - that is a TERRIBLE drop, really bad fielding, he must hold his head in shame. Flintoff will not be buying him a drink later. Was a slower ball, tried the same as previously, got an edge, straight up in the air, and fumbled.
Score 9: Oram 8 Vettori 1

The disco in the Piton Party stand is really belting out the tunes now! It's free beer all day for those who have bought tickets for that stand. Not a bad deal, and Piton really is a superb drop of beer!

The same deal applies for those coming here for the ODI against Australia in May, and I can certainly see that having huge appeal for fans of both sides. Last year you couldn't move in that stand apparently!

For those of you unfamiliar with St Lucia as an international venue, it really is a stunner, and we're very privileged to be here as guests of the St. Lucia Tourist Board.

The ground itself is north of the capital Castries. Anyone approaching the ground is astonished by its size and location. It sits in a natural bowl, and the outfield is as good as you will see in international cricket. The brand new stands flank one side of the ground, and on the other is the grassy bank where Piton flows all day!

The Double Wicket is here to stay - it will take place every year around this time, and will feature the world's best all-rounders. Viewers in the UK can see highlights on Sky Sports during the first Test between West Indies and Australia.

So here we go, England coming out

England won the toss and elected to field