England Survive Italian Scare to Secure T20 World Cup Super 8s Berth
England have progressed to the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, but not without enduring another heart-stopping encounter as they edged past a determined Italy by 24 runs in Kolkata. The victory, while sufficient to guarantee their advancement, highlighted ongoing concerns about the team's consistency and form heading into the next phase of the tournament in Sri Lanka.
Jacks' Blitz Powers England to Competitive Total
Needing a win to secure their Super 8s spot, England found themselves in a precarious position at 128 for five midway through the 16th over. However, Will Jacks delivered a match-changing innings, smashing an unbeaten 53 off just 22 balls from the number seven position. His explosive knock, which included a flurry of boundaries, propelled England to a formidable total of 202 for seven.
The momentum seemed firmly with England when Jofra Archer struck twice in his opening over, but Italy's Ben Manenti launched a stunning counter-attack. His blistering 60 off 25 deliveries, featuring six sixes and four fours, reignited the contest and kept Italian hopes alive deep into the chase.
Italy's Valiant Chase Falls Just Short
When Jacks claimed Manenti's wicket and Sam Curran took two wickets in two balls, the end appeared nigh for Italy. Yet, Grant Stewart had other ideas, clubbing two sixes each off Archer and Adil Rashid. Rashid's final over conceded 21 runs, leaving the tournament's lowest-ranked side requiring 30 from the last 12 deliveries.
Curran's death bowling prowess ultimately proved decisive. He conceded just five runs in the penultimate over and dismissed Stewart for a spirited 45, finishing with impressive figures of three for 22. Jamie Overton wrapped up the innings as Italy were bowled out for 178, ending their brave resistance.
England's Progress Marred by Persistent Concerns
With this result, England finish second in Group C behind the West Indies, but their passage to the Super 8s was far from convincing. This performance follows three previous underwhelming displays, raising significant questions about their title credentials as they prepare for the next phase in Sri Lanka.
Most alarmingly, captain Jos Buttler's poor form continued, with his tournament average now a meagre 13.25 after another failure. While Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell showed brief flashes of promise, both fell tamely to catches near the leg-side boundary after Harry Brook won the toss for an eighth consecutive T20 match.
England's innings stuttered when Brook edged a wider delivery to the wicketkeeper and Tom Banton miscued a googly from Crishan Kalugamage into the deep, leaving them at 105 for five with no batter surpassing 30. The tide turned dramatically in the final three balls of Ben Manenti's spell, as Jacks capitalised on a misfield to hit a four before launching back-to-back sixes, including one off a full toss, to shift momentum decisively.
Italian Spirit Captivates Despite Defeat
Italy, whose highest successful chase was 155 against Ireland in a warm-up match last month, suffered early setbacks when Archer's 90mph deliveries accounted for Anthony Mosca and JJ Smuts inside the first over. Buttler's spectacular one-handed catch removed Italian captain Harry Manenti, but Justin Mosca responded with three boundaries in an over off Archer.
Ben Manenti then welcomed spinners Rashid and Liam Dawson into the attack with sixes off both, before clearing the rope twice off Curran. Jacks, initially expensive during the powerplay, was reintroduced for a second over—a tactic that backfired against the West Indies previously. It nearly proved costly again as Manenti plundered 20 off four balls, reaching a 22-ball half-century before holing out to Banton in the deep.
Curran's double-wicket maiden seemed to have sealed the deal, but Stewart's late assault ensured England could not afford to relax. Only when Curran restricted Stewart, who skied a catch to short third for 45 off 23 balls, could England finally exhale and overcome a spirited Italian side comprising teachers, factory workers, and even a pizza chef.
While England advance, their inconsistent performances and batting frailties remain a cause for concern as they embark on the Super 8s stage, where sterner tests undoubtedly await.
