NEW DELHI: Opener Jason Roy smashed a quick-fire 78 as England beat New Zealand by seven wickets on Wednesday to reach the final of the World Twenty20.

Roy clobbered 11 fours and two sixes off 44 balls during his maiden T20 half-century, as England scored 159-3 in 17.1 overs after Ben Stokes (3-26) helped restrict New Zealand to 153-8.

Roy added 82 for the first wicket with Alex Hales (20) to all but take the tournament's first semifinal away from New Zealand.

Earlier, New Zealand lost the initiative as seven wickets fell for 62 following a 74-run second-wicket partnership between Colin Munro (46) and captain Kane Williamson (32).

England, champion in 2010, will face the winner of the other semifinal between India and the West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday.