England secured their Super 8s berth with a 24-run victory over Italy at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, powered by Will Jacks’ maiden T20I fifty in a thrilling encounter.
After posting 202/7 with Jacks smashing an explosive 53* off just 22 balls – the quickest fifty by an Englishman in T20 World Cups – England faced a spirited Italian fightback.
Ben Manenti’s breathtaking 60 off 25 balls, the fastest fifty by an Associate batter against a full member in T20 World Cup history, threatened to pull off an upset.
His 84-run partnership with Justin Mosca (43) had England worried before Sam Curran’s crucial 19th over and Jamie Overton’s double-wicket maiden in the final over sealed victory.
Despite Italy’s 13 sixes – the most by an Associate team against a full member in a T20 World Cup innings – their batting collapsed from 178/8 to 178 all out.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Italy, T20 World Cup, Group C |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Result | England won by 24 runs |
| England | 202/7 (20 overs) |
| Italy | 178 (20 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Will Jacks (53* off 22) |
| Toss | England won and chose to bat |
First Innings Highlights
England’s innings began positively as Phil Salt struck 28 off 15 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes), sweeping Ali Hasan for six and driving boundaries. However, Grant Stewart struck first ball, having Jos Buttler (3) caught at mid-off by skipper Harry Manenti. England reached 56/2 in the powerplay before losing momentum.
Jacob Bethell contributed 23 off 20 (2 fours, 1 six) before Ben Manenti caught him at long leg. Tom Banton steadied the ship with 30 off 21 balls (3 fours, 1 six), reaching the rope with elegant drives, but fell caught in the deep off Crishan Kalugamage. Harry Brook (14 off 9 with 1 four, 1 six) and Sam Curran (25 off 19 with 2 sixes) pushed the score along before both departed. At 144/5 after 16 overs, England needed impetus.
Enter Will Jacks at number 8, who produced a sensational innings, smashing 53* off just 22 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). He hammered 20 runs off Ben Manenti’s 16th over, including consecutive sixes, and added another six off Grant Stewart. Jamie Overton supported with 15 off 9 as England plundered 78 runs in the final five overs to post 202/7.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Will Jacks | 53* runs (22 balls, 4×4, 3×6) |
| Best Bowler | Grant Stewart | 4-0-51-2 |
Second Innings Highlights
Italy’s chase began disastrously as Jofra Archer removed both Mosca brothers in the first over – Anthony Mosca (0) caught by Harry Brook at mid-on and JJ Smuts (0) caught by Jamie Overton at slip. Italy crawled to 22/3 in the powerplay.
Justin Mosca (43 off 34 with 7 fours) and Ben Manenti then launched a remarkable counter-attack. Manenti exploded into action, reaching his fifty off just 22 balls – the fastest by an Associate batter in T20 World Cup history.
He launched six sixes and four fours in a breathtaking 60 off 25 balls, smashing Liam Dawson and Will Jacks for boundaries. The 84-run partnership threatened to turn the match before Will Jacks had Manenti caught at long-on.
His dismissal sparked a collapse as Adil Rashid removed Justin Mosca, caught at long-on. Grant Stewart (45 off 23 with 2 fours, 5 sixes) kept Italy’s hopes alive with powerful hitting, striking Jofra Archer for consecutive sixes.
However, Sam Curran bowled a brilliant 19th over, dismissing Stewart and conceding just 5 runs. Jamie Overton sealed victory with a double-wicket maiden, bowling Jaspreet Singh (12) and Ali Hasan (0) to finish with 3/18.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Ben Manenti | 60 runs (25 balls, 4×4, 6×6) |
| Best Bowler | Jamie Overton | 4-1-18-3 |
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