Sloppy against Scotland, error-strewn against Australia, ruthless against Oman, West Indies, and USA – here’s a look at England's tumultuous journey to the T20 World Cup semi-finals. Watch the action live on Sky Sports, with the semi-finals scheduled for 1.30 am and 3.30 pm on Thursday.
After starting their title defence in Barbados with a lacklustre performance, England returned to the same venue with a decisive win to secure a semi-final spot.
The misfields and bowling errors from their opening game against Scotland on June 4 were absent as Jos Buttler's side crushed the USA by 10 wickets. England took five wickets in six balls – four by Barbados-born seamer Chris Jordan – before Buttler's five sixes in six balls propelled his team to a target of 116 in just 9.4 overs. Despite their bumpy journey, England's path to the semi-finals has been marred by rain, mistakes, and excellent cricket from Scotland, leaving them on the brink of early elimination at times.
Here's a recap of their fluctuating tournament, with Buttler's team now two wins away from becoming the first to defend the Men’s T20 World Cup successfully.
Vs Scotland – Rain-Interrupted Draw (Bridgetown)
A washout against Scotland led to debates on whether it was a point gained or lost for England. With Scotland's strong showing, England might have qualified for the Super 8s without relying on net run-rate had they chased the DLS-adjusted target of 109 in 10 overs.
Vs Australia – Lost by 36 Runs (Barbados)
England faltered against Australia, conceding 70 runs in the first five overs to openers David Warner and Travis Head. Despite a promising start in their chase, England could only reach 165-6, falling short of Australia's 201-7.
Vs Oman – Won by Eight Wickets (Antigua)
Needing a big win to improve their net run-rate, England bowled out Oman for 47, the fourth-lowest score in Men's T20 World Cups. England chased down the target in just 19 deliveries, led by Phil Salt's sixes, getting back on track.
Vs Namibia – Won by 41 Runs on DLS (Antigua)
Rain almost eliminated England, but a 10-over contest saw them post 122-5, thanks to Harry Brook’s 47 not out. Namibia managed 84-3 in reply, and with Scotland losing to Australia, England advanced to the Super 8s.
Vs West Indies – Won by Eight Wickets (St Lucia)
In their best performance, England restricted West Indies to 180-4 and chased down the target with 15 balls to spare, thanks to Phil Salt’s unbeaten 87 off 47 balls and Jonny Bairstow's 48 not out.
Vs South Africa – Lost by Seven Runs (St Lucia)
England's loss to South Africa was due to a poor power play, with Quinton de Kock pushing the Proteas to 63-0 in six overs. Despite Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone's efforts, England fell short, leaving them under pressure again.
Vs USA – Won by 10 Wickets (Barbados)
England dismantled USA, securing a semi-final spot before the final group game. Chris Jordan's hat-trick and Buttler's 83 not out off 38 balls ensured a comprehensive victory, relieving the pressure and confirming their place in the last four.
Reflections and Quotes
England captain Jos Buttler noted their respect for the USA and the importance of maintaining intensity. USA captain Aaron Jones acknowledged their lack of discipline in the last two games but expressed pride in their World Cup journey. Player of the match Adil Rashid praised their overall performance and hoped to continue his good form.
England now enters the semi-finals with renewed confidence, ready to face the next challenge in their quest to defend their T20 World Cup title.