England stunned South Africa with the highest successful run chase in tournament history while New Zealand edged past Australia on a thrilling day of action at the World Twenty20 Friday.

Both matches were dramatically won in the final over as New Zealand made it two victories out of two and England sensationally bounced back from a disappointing opening day defeat.

South Africa set England an improbable target after making 229-4 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium but a classy 83 from Joe Root propelled his side to 230-8 with two balls to spare.

It was England's highest ever total in 20-over cricket and the highest successful run chase by any team at the World T20.

It was also the second-best ever chase in the history of the shortest format of the game.

"There's no better feeling than winning a game of cricket when you're up against it," said Root, who described his innings as his best ever in the short-form of the game.

"To do it in a world cup is very special," the 25-year-old added.

England went into the last over needing just one run to clinch victory and Chris Jordan looked like he'd done it when he smashed the ball high towards to the boundary.

But it came up just short and was caught by JP Duminy.

David Willey was then run out for nought as a nervy England tried to clinch victory with a quick single.

Then on the third-last ball, Moeen Ali dramatically hit the winning run to ensure England bounced back from their opening six-wicket defeat to the West Indies on Wednesday.

Root said he had earlier told Ali just to "stay calm".

"I said 'remember the bowler is under more pressure than you at this stage'. Just stay nice and relaxed', and thankfully he managed to get us across the line," explained Root.

Root stylishly clinched his half century with a delightful reverse scoop which went for six in the 15th over before being caught out in the 19th over.

- Black Caps second win -

Opener Jason Roy had earlier scored 43 while Jos Buttler made 21 and Alex Hales 17 in the Super 10 Group One game.

Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy made half centuries for South Africa.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand paceman Mitchell McClenaghan grabbed three crucial wickets as the Black Caps clinched victory over Australia by eight runs at Dharamsala.

The Aussies had appeared well set to chase down New Zealand's modest total of 142 for eight, needing a relatively straightforward 43 runs off the last five overs with six wickets in hand.

But tight bowling from rookie spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi put on the brakes before a devastating penultimate over from McClenaghan who finished with figures of three for 17.

He conceded just three runs in his last six balls, taking the wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar after earlier snaring Shane Watson.

It left Australia needing 19 runs in their last over bowled by Corey Anderson who just about held his nerve, conceding 10 runs.

"Nice to perform like that but it was as a collective," said McClenaghan after being named man-of-the-match.

"The spinners were fantastic and got us back in the game. It's nice to show some teams we can play in these conditions."

Australian skipper Steve Smith agreed Sodhi and Santner had been the difference.

"Obviously their spinners bowled extremely well, they ran through the middle," said Smith.

"We didn't respond well, we lost wickets in clumps which you can't do in T20 cricket when you are chasing a total of 140."

New Zealand upset hosts India in their first match makes them firm favourites to reach the semi-finals.

Australia's defeat was a big blow to their hopes of winning a trophy that has so far proven elusive.
Source: AFP