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England saved their T20 World Cup ambitions by defeating New Zealand by 20 runs at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
With one set of matches remaining, England, who faced near-certain elimination if they lost, has moved up into the top two in Group 1 alongside their opponents.
Only the top two teams advance to the semi-finals.
It adds immense pressure on Australia, the hosts, and defending champions, who must now win their final match against Afghanistan and hope England and New Zealand falter.
England reached 179-6 thanks to skipper Jos Buttler’s 73 off 47 balls, demonstrating why they were one of the pre-tournament favourites.
They then got off to a flying start in the field as New Zealand starter Devon Conway leg-glanced a ball from Chris Woakes and Buttler snatched a superb diving catch.
After five overs, New Zealand were 28-2 when Finn Allen pulled a slower ball from Sam Curran to Ben Stokes at deep mid-wicket.
The Black Caps were battling against a tight bowling attack, but the momentum shifted decisively in their favour when Moeen Ali dropped the in-form Glenn Phillips on 15 with New Zealand 64-2.
The Black Caps were battling against a tight bowling attack, but the momentum shifted decisively in their favour when Moeen Ali dropped the in-form Glenn Phillips on 15 with New Zealand 64-2.
Phillips, who hit a century against Sri Lanka in New Zealand’s previous encounter, punished the English with a half-century off only 25 balls.
Buttler was ringing the changes with his attack, employing seven different bowlers in an attempt to create a breakthrough.
After four games, New Zealand, England, and Australia all have five points, with New Zealand leading Group 1 in net run rate and England in second.
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