Chitty bang bang for England

THE Netherlands humiliated 2010 champions England by 45 runs at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong yesterday, rounding off a wretched winter for the English side that included a 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia. Paceman Mudassar Bukhari took three wickets for 12 runs while Logan van Beek finished with three for nine to bowl England out for a paltry 88 in 17.4 overs, after they were set a modest target of 134 to chase in their last group one Super-10 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium. England captain Stuart Broad said there were no excuses for the defeat. England, who chased 190 to beat Sri Lanka in their only win in the tournament, never looked comfortable, despite the inexperienced Dutch bowling. Dutch captain Peter Borren was delighted at the winning finish. “It’s a nice way to end the tournament,” Borren said. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 59 runs in a low-scoring Super-10 group one match in Chittagong yesterday to cruise into the semifinals.

New Zealand were bowled out for their lowest Twenty20 total of 60 in 15.3 overs in the final match of the group played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took a career best 5-3 in a destructive spin bowling display of 3.3 overs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 119 in 19.2 overs with left-arm paceman Trent Boult taking a career best 3-20 and Jimmy Neesham 3-22. Sri Lanka will play the first semifinal on Thursday, against the winners of final group two match between Pakistan and defending champions the West Indies to be played in Dhaka today. India face South Africa in the second semifinal, also in the Bangladeshi capital, on Friday. The final will be played in Dhaka on Sunday. – AFP