Jonny Bairstow's century powers hosts to semi-final spot with victory over struggling Kiwis

[caption id=“attachment_6936361” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Propelled by another century by Jonny Bairstow and a freakish run-out that removed dangerman Kane Williamson, England coasted to a 119-run win over New Zealand on Wednesday to climb back into the playoff spots after its final group-stage match. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936341” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Bairstow and fellow opener Jason Roy (60 off 61 balls) enjoyed a third straight century stand before it was broken at 123, giving England a platform for a shot at a massive total. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936391” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  But from 194-1, England lost Joe Root (24), Bairstow and Jos Buttler (11) in a 19-ball spell to slump to 214-4, and the boundaries began to dry up, as they eventually ended on 305. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936421” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The early loss of openers Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill was compounded by Williamson’s strange dismissal. Taylor played a straight drive that glanced off the fingertips of Wood and onto the stumps, with Williamson short of his ground. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936381” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  England’s bowling was on point all around, but Mark Wood stood out with an excellent spell that saw him bag three wickets and concede just 34 runs in 9 overs bowled. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936401” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Once a 54-run partnership between Tom Latham (57) and Jimmy Neesham (19) was ended, New Zealand was simply delaying the inevitable by mostly blocking out to ensure the team’s net run rate wasn’t too affected. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6936411” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  England sealed their qualification for the knockouts of the World Cup with the wicket of Trent Boult, who was stumped by the lightning-quick hands of Jos Buttler. AP[/caption]