HOWZAT

“When you are losing it is a tough format of the game, when you are winning it is a lot easier.”

England's woes are deeper than simply failing again on the world stage, however, as there are major doubts about Flintoff's future participation. The Lancashire player's ankle is clearly bothering him again: he was only able to bowl three overs, was in obvious pain and shortened his run-up to a couple of strides. Phil Mustard, meanwhile, has been called up to replace Matthew Prior in the squad for the upcoming one-day series with Sri Lanka after the Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman was today confirmed with a broken thumb.

It had all started so brightly for England, but having reduced the Black Caps to 31 for four, they let their opponents off the hook and allowed them to post 164 for nine.

England had been given a flying start with their seamers exploiting early morning conditions after Paul Collingwood once again won the toss. James Anderson made the early breakthrough with the sixth legitimate ball of the day to boost the confidence of stand-in wicketkeeper Solanki, who had been brought in after Prior was ruled out.

Solanki took an early catch when Brendon McMillan flashed outside off-stump and edged behind and he was followed eight balls later when Peter Fulton fell for a duck after being given lbw to Flintoff trying to force through midwicket.

Anderson claimed his second wicket two overs later when Ross Taylor mis-timed an attempted drive and was caught at extra cover by Flintoff and with Stuart Broad inducing an edge behind from Lou Vincent, New Zealand were in danger of failing to set a competitive total.

But just as England began believing their campaign was back on track, New Zealand fought back with a determined 60-run stand off only 42 balls between Scott Styris and Craig McMillan. Batting cautiously at first, the pair accelerated at the halfway stage of the innings with Styris hitting Mascarenhas for three successive sixes as New Zealand added 44 runs in three overs.

A brilliant piece of fielding from Maddy, recalled to the side after missing Sunday's defeat by South Africa as a replacement for Jeremy Snape, swung the momentum back in England's direction just as New Zealand had set their sights on a major score. Pushing for a quick second run, Styris was left short of his ground after a brilliant pick-up and throw from Maddy at midwicket to run him out for a 42 off 31 balls.

Not content with that, Maddy then claimed two wickets in four deliveries as Collingwood gave him the ball in the 17th over and he responded by having McMillan caught at long on for 57 off 31 balls with his second ball.

Two balls later the dangerous Jacob Oram was bowled trying a big heave down the ground and with Collingwood also bowling Shane Bond in the next over, New Zealand were unable to exploit the foundation set in the middle overs.

But with captain Daniel Vettori hitting an unbeaten 17 off nine balls, New Zealand were able to pass 150 and post a score that ultimately proved beyond England.

Having excelled with his one over with the ball, taking two wickets, Maddy led the way with the bat, smashing an excellent 50 from 32 balls which included the second biggest six of the tournament, measured at 102 metres.

But the game turned when Vettori brought himself on to bowl. Solanki lifted the spinner straight to Vincent at long-off and Maddy then needlessly ran himself out having posted his fifty the previous ball.

Collingwood middled one off the bowling of Vincent straight to McMillan at midwicket and that spectacular diving catch put England on the back foot.

England can now only go through if they beat India tomorrow, and South Africa lose their remaining games to India and New Zealand. Even in that unlikely scenario, it would all boil to run rate, a tall order to say the least.