England's Ben Stokes, left, shakes hands with New Zealand's Kane Williamson. Photo / AP
Last year England, under the leadership of Eoin Morgan, admitted to emulating the aggressive strategy New Zealand brought to their limited overs cricket. They have since perfected the art of playing without fear. If the Black Caps could be deemed "the masters", their apprentices trumped them again.
Today in their
World T20 semi-final, England mimicked another aspect of New Zealand's mantra. They took the emotion out of their cricket and, with a seven-wicket victory, delivered a clinical dissection which wouldn't have looked amiss in an operating theatre.
The New Zealand approach earned a 2015 World Cup final spot, but England had already matched them when they hosted last year's gripping ODI series. They won 3-2, and also secured the one-off T20 match in Manchester.
They were imbued with a confidence which dissolved the hangover of their World Cup failure. England has morphed into a side with swagger and chutzpah.
Despite their opening hiccup against the West Indies, they look capable of earning silverware and replicating their 2010 victory in Kolkata on Monday morning. New Zealand's ethos remains more tradesman-like and egalitarian. Everyone plays a role and the spoils and kudos are distributed equally. They demonstrate admirable consistency, but a maiden World Cup or World T20 title still eludes.
