T20 World Cup: England, New Zealand eye final spot in shadow of 2019 classic

Familiar foes England, New Zealand lock horns today in what promises to be an absorbing semifinal
So impressed was Eoin Morgan as England skipper with New Zealand's bold approach to white-ball cricket, despite being on the receiving end of a shellacking at Wellington in the 2015 ODI World Cup, that he told his team and the powers that be in English cricket, that this is the template England must follow for white-ball success.

For the record, England, who were bowled out for 123, saw the target being chased down in 12.2 overs, courtesy a mad cap 25-ball 77 (8x4, 7x6) from Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum.

It is fair to say the 2015 World Cup defined the white-ball legacies of both New Zealand and England. Their approach was going to be no guts, no glory.
Since then, both teams have met in bilateral series deciders, knock out contests and finals with England prevailing.
Like at the Kotla in the semis of the 2016 T20 World Cup where the Kiwis saw Jason Roy adopt that bold template and knock them out with a whirlwind 44-ball 78 that helped England chase 153 with three overs to spare. Ben Stokes, a name that would haunt them in the 50-over World Cup final three years later, would pick 3-26 to nip the heart out of the Kiwi batting.

Five years after that, the two sides are back against each other at the same stage. England and New Zealand will contest the first semifinal at the Zayed Stadium on Wednesday to earn the right to contest Sunday's final against Australia or Pakistan.
While it's a different format, the 2019 ODI World Cup final was so pulsating, that it still is part of a cricket fan's cognitive consciousness. If that game is any indication though, expect another close contest, may be even a Super Over. Only this time, there would be nothing as obnoxious as the boundary count back rule. The ICC has put it in the shredder. Thankfully.
England though won't have some key characters from that dramatic day at Lord's. There is no Stokes. There is no Jofra Archer. There is no Roy.
Kiwis will have at least eight players from that day contesting the semis.

Baggage anyone?
Not if one believes Kiwi coach Gary Stead. "I haven't heard anything spoken about it here," Stead said. "I think the guys are looking forward to the prospect of facing England again. They're a quality side and yes, we just look forward to the challenge of playing the best side as well. So, I'm not sure there will be anything from the 2019 game that will come into it... maybe if it's a Super Over, it might," Stead added.
Before it gets to a Super Over though, England will need a bit of recalibration to do in the team after losing Roy to a calf injury vs. South Africa. Jonny Bairstow, settled at No.4, may need to partner Jos Buttler at the top. England skipper Eoin Morgan kept his cards close to his chest when he told a virtual media conference, "We have identified who will bat at the top within the group, but won't want to share it here."

That statement from Morgan indicates the respect he has for New Zealand. He knows in Trent Boult and Tim Southee (18 wickets between them), the Kiwis have the arsenal to dent their ambition and progress.
In Martin Guptill, Kiwis have explosive power at the top. In Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, the Black Caps are have a counter to Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. They can both stifle and strike. England will also be up against a side that has players who fly across the turf and pluck gravity-defying catches.
More crucially, Morgan knows, that like him, the Kiwis have a man at the helm, Kane Williamson, who plays cricket likes chess and for whom the team loves fighting.