England 242 runs away from maiden Cricket World Cup crown

Liam Plunkett took three wickets to give England 242 runs to chase in the Cricket World Cup final, as the host nation restricted New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first under gloomy London skies.

Martin Guptill, who had struggled for from throughout the competition, showed positive intent first up and survived an early scare when he was adjudged caught behind off Jofra Archer, but made a successful review.

The same happened at the other end when Henry Nicholls was given the finger off Chris Woakes – adjudged leg-before – but technology came to his rescue.

Woakes would eventually find the breakthrough as he trapped Guptill in front for 19 off 18 balls.

Nicholls was joined by Williamson, and together they put on a 74-run partnership before the captain became Plunkett’s first victim – edging behind to Jos Buttler for 30.

The other set batsman was soon back in the but 15 runs later as Nicholls played on to his stump for Plunkett’s second wicket for 55.

Ross Taylor scraped his way around for 15 before he too was sent packing, trapped in front by Mark Wood.

Plunkett got his third wicket when James Neesham played a lazy shot to Joe Root at mid-on.

Colin de Grandhome joined Tom Latham in the middle, with the latter the main aggressor while his partner struggled to find any rhythm.

There would be no trademark lusty blows from the Zimbabwe-born all-rounder, who perished for 16 off 28 with New Zealand at 219-6 with three overs to go.

Latham’s innings of 47 off 56 deliveries came to an end with just nine balls left in the innings.

It was left to the tailenders to steer the Black Caps to a competitive total, and Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Trent Boult could only manage one boundary between them as New Zealand finished with 241-8 in their 50 overs.

-Agencies