England secured its place in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup on Monday by defeating Italy by 24 runs in their final Group C match at Eden Gardens.
Opting to bat first, England posted a challenging total of 203, thanks to a late surge by Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 53 off 22 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes to record his first T20I fifty.
Despite early wickets, England rebuilt through contributions from Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, and Sam Curran, who scored 25 off 19 deliveries, helping the team cross the 150-run mark. Jamie Overton added valuable runs in the final overs, though he fell in the last over to Grant Stewart.
For Italy, Crishan Kalugamage and Grant Stewart took two wickets each, while JJ Smuts, Ali Hasan, and Ben Manenti claimed one apiece.
Chasing 203, Italy’s innings began disastrously with Jofra Archer dismissing Anthony Mosca and JJ Smuts for ducks in the first over. A 92-run partnership between Anthony Mosca and Ben Manenti revived their hopes, with Manenti scoring a blistering 60 off 25 balls, featuring four boundaries and six sixes.
However, wickets fell regularly thereafter, with Sam Curran and Jamie Overton taking key scalps. Grant Stewart’s late 45 off 23 balls kept Italy in contention, but England’s disciplined bowling ensured they were restricted to 178 in 20 overs, sealing a 24-run victory and advancement to the Super Eight.
