Daryl Mitchell starred with the bat as New Zealand beat England by five-wicket to book an ICC T20 World Cup 2021 final berth. Chasing 167 runs, the Kiwis went past the total with an over to spare.
Mitchell not only played a match-winning knock but won hearts and provided a great moment to showcase the ‘Spirit of Cricket’. On the first ball of the 17th over, Jimmy Neesham tapped Adil Rashid down the line for a single.
A #T20WorldCup night to remember in Abu Dhabi for Daryl Mitchell! pic.twitter.com/ZeiP1wjSot
— ICC (@ICC) November 10, 2021
But as the batters took off for a run, Daryl Mitchell collided with the England leg-spinner Adil Rashid and then stopped and turned down the single. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the 30-year-old cricketer said:
“I thought I probably got in the way of Rashid a little bit and I didn’t want to be the guy that caused a bit of a controversy, so I was happy to just (turn down the single). We all play the game in good spirit and I just felt like it was probably my fault so as opposed to try and take a run, it was better off to start again and carry on. I’m lucky that it didn’t make a difference (to the result).”
However, that single didn’t hurt New Zealand as they convincing went past the target. Jimmy Neesham played a whirlwind knock of 27 runs from 11 deliveries while Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 72 runs to chase down the target.
“Lucky enough to get across the line” – Daryl Mitchell
🗣 'We have got belief'
Daryl Mitchell was never in doubt about their semi-final result.#T20WorldCup @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/yeDpl65m1f
— ICC (@ICC) November 11, 2021
New Zealand, who struggled to get over the line in the 50 over final against England in 2019, managed to beat Eoin Morgan & Co this time around. Daryl Mitchell admitted that they were lucky to go past the target.
“We knew one or two big overs would bring the match our way. Luckily, we got a few away. It was amazing how well Neesham struck the ball. Lucky enough to get across the line,” Daryl Mitchell concluded.
