ICC Champions Trophy: Day six wrap

The points that matter

- England are through to the semi-finals. They accounted for New Zealand very comfortably in the end, moving to four points with two wins from two to guarantee themselves top spot in Group A. 

- The result makes Australia's equation simple: if they beat England on Saturday, they're through to the final four, and if they lose, they're more than likely out. New Zealand and Bangladesh now sit on one point apiece, and if England to beat the Aussies, the winner of the NZ-Tigers clash goes through. Of course, another 'No Result' or two would complicate matters, but Australia - on two points - are the best placed of the three teams still vying for a semi-final berth. 

- Pakistan have dumped opener Ahmed Shehzad and included uncapped batsman Fakhar Zaman for tonight's crunch clash with South Africa at Edgbaston. Injured quick Wahab Riaz has been replaced by fellow left-armer Junaid Khan. 

- A win would all but assure South Africa of a place in the semi-finals after their first-up success over Sri Lanka. They're likely to stick with the same XI, though Andile Phelukwayo will again put pressure on Chris Morris and Morne Morkel for a place in the bowling group. 

Tweet of the day

Stephen Fleming's tweet could be forewarning disaster for New Zealand, who went around 30 minutes over their allocated time to bowl their 50 overs. A one-match suspension to their captain Kane Williamson ahead of their final-round clash with Bangladesh would be a massive blow to the Black Caps, but with Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga currently serving a two-match ban for the same offence, the precedent is there. 

Fielder of the day

A couple of cracking catches from Trent Boult, who has a reputation for pulling off the spectacular in the field.

Stat of the day

Run-machine Kane Williamson passed 50 for the fifth consecutive ODI against England. He's done the same against India, too, making him just the second player after Dean Jones (Sri Lanka and New Zealand) to achieve the feat against two countries. 

Pic of the day

Many had tipped Jake Ball to be left out against the Kiwis after the young England quick went for 82 from his 10 overs against Bangladesh. But Ball (2-31 off 8) repaid the faith of selectors in style at Cardiff, spectacularly uprooting the middle stump of Black Caps opener Luke Ronchi, who exited for a first-ball duck - though not before peeking around to view the inevitable unpleasant sight behind him. 

Image Id: FBFC511A614949BDB3446248C232154B Image Caption: Luke Ronchi turns around to see his middle stump uprooted // Getty

Play of the day

Williamson was well set on 87 and he and Ross Taylor had manoeuvred their side into a position from which they looked well set to win the match, when the NZ captain got a snorter from England paceman Mark Wood. Wood, a skiddy quick at the best of times, was bowling cross-seam and banging the ball hard into the Cardiff surface, and his persistence with the tactic paid the ultimate dividend when he got one to rear up from a length and clip Williamson's glove on the way through to Jos Buttler. It changed the complexion of the contest completely; with the skipper gone, the Kiwis suddenly looked rudderless, and England capitalised. 

Image Id: 812B2D4A18564A27BB6FAD83ACB89508 Image Caption: Ross Taylor's reaction says it all after Mark Wood removes Kane Williamson // Getty

What's up next?

New Zealand play Bangladesh in a must-win clash at Cardiff on Friday, while England meet Australia the following day at Edgbaston. Tonight, it's South Africa v Pakistan, also at Edgbaston.

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

4 June – India beat Pakistan by 124 runs

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, No Result

6 June – England beat New Zealand by 87 runs

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)