England secures semifinal spot with comprehensive win

Beats New Zealand by 87 runs in Cardiff.

Liam Plunkett was the pick of the English bowlers. He took four wickets.

 

Host England became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy semifinals after hammering New Zealand by 87 runs in Cardiff to stay top of Group A on Tuesday. Eoin Morgan's side mastered tricky conditions to reinforce its credentials as tournament favourite with an excellent team performance in which everyone contributed.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Joe Root top-scored with an impressive 64 - his 32nd score above fifty in 85 ODIs - as England posted an all-out score of 310 after being put in to bat. In reply, New Zealand struggled to overcome the first over loss of Luke Ronchi for a golden duck and, although Kane Williamson struck an assured 87, his team-mates were picked off by England's impressive attack.

READ: Morgan lauds 'outstanding attack'

Liam Plunkett was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets as New Zealand subsided to 223 all out in the 45th over.

New Zealand can still reach the semifinals if it beats Bangladesh in its final game and Australia loses to England.