Wright back on track for England

Luke Wright and Steven Finn starred in a much-improved all-round performance as England beat New Zealand by six wickets to put the defence of their ICC World Twenty20 crown back on track.

After Wright's runs and Finn's wickets at Pallekele, Stuart Broad's team are likely to need another success against hosts Sri Lanka when they return on Monday if they are to book a trip back to Colombo for the semi-finals.

Finn took three for 16 and then Wright (76) engineered a well-drilled chase - achieved with seven balls to spare - meaning England have at least given themselves a second chance after their defeat against West Indies at this same venue two days ago.

Finn perhaps completed the hardest and most telling half of the equation, as only James Franklin (50) cut any ice for the Kiwis.

But Wright made sure, with a 33-ball 50 containing three fours and three sixes.

Finn took two with the new ball, including danger man Brendon McCullum, and then returned in the 17th over to see off another of the Kiwis' best hitters Ross Taylor.

England captain Broad was a happy man afterwards, saying: "It was really important to get a win tonight. I thought Steven Finn set the tone fantastically with the new ball and Luke and Eoin (Morgan) batted really well.

"The pitch was a lot drier, we knew that from ball one - and we're obviously delighted to have won.

"Now we've got a huge game coming up on Monday. We've got a job to do then and hopefully we can build on the positives from tonight.

"We'll have a meeting over the next day or so and come back stronger on Monday."