Cricket World Cup 2019: England through to semi-finals with New Zealand victory

Jonny Bairstow's second hundred in four days sets up win in Durham that secures them top-four spot

CHESTER-LE-STREET, ENGLAND - JULY 03:  Mark Wood of England celebrates with the team as he runs out Kane Williamson of New Zealand during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and New Zealand at Emirates Riverside on July 03, 2019 in Chester-le-Street, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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England are through to the Cricket World Cup semi-finals after cruising to a comfortable 119-run win over New Zealand in their final group game at Durham on Wednesday.

Jonny Bairstow's second successive hundred set England up for a score of 305-8 after Eoin Morgan had won the toss and chosen to bat.

That proved too much for New Zealand, who batted cautiously after slipping to 69-4 in the run chase, in a bid to protect their net run rate score to minimise the risk of being overtaken by Pakistan for a last-four place.

The Black Caps were bowled out for 186 but they remain in a strong position to join England in the semi-finals.

The result ended Sri Lanka's qualification hopes and Pakistan, who can draw level with New Zealand on 11 points if they beat Bangladesh on Friday at Lord's, have almost no chance of overhauling Kane Williamson's side on the run rate figure.

England's opening pair of Bairstow (106) and Jason Roy (60) again did the damage at the top of the order as they put on 123 for the first wicket in 18 overs.

They had put on 160 against India on Sunday when Bairstow had hit 111.

Bairstow's return to form proved critical again for England as their innings fell away in the closing overs. From 194-1 they added only 111 more runs in the final 20 overs, with only Morgan (42) passing 25.

But New Zealand's reply was always in trouble after Henry Nicholls was trapped leg before by Chris Woakes to the first ball he faced in the opening over.

Williamson (27) and Ross Taylor (28) had looked in good nick, but they were both run out.

Tom Latham (57) steadied the New Zealand innings as their focus turned to ensuring they did not collapse, an event that would have hurt the run rate, and the game meandered to a close with the result not in doubt in the final overs.

England are certain of third place in the final table and will face either Australia or India at Edgbaston on July 11 for a place in the final at Lord's on July 14.