KOLKATA:
Tom Banton’s unbeaten 63 led England to a five-wicket T20 World Cup victory over Scotland in Kolkata on Saturday that stored Harry Brook’s aspect heading in the right direction for the Tremendous Eights.
Victory of their ultimate Group C match in opposition to Italy on Monday on the identical Eden Gardens stadium will see England safely into the subsequent spherical.
After bowling Scotland out for 152, England racked up 155-5 in 18.2 overs, with Jacob Bethell scoring 32, Sam Curran 28 and Will Jacks (16 off 10 balls) hitting a six and a 4 to complete the job.
England wobbled at first of their chase as the brand new white ball swung below the floodlights with the solar taking place.
Phil Salt fell third ball to Brandon McMullen for simply two and when Jos Buttler picked out McMullen off Brad Currie they have been 13-2.
Scotland bowled tightly till Bethell broke the shackles by hitting McMullen for a six and two fours within the fifth over.
Spinner Mark Watt additionally got here in for some punishment, conceding 22 off his first over as Banton took him for 3 large sixes.
A 66-run partnership ended when the left-handed Bethell on 32 helped a leg-side supply from Oliver Davidson into the grateful palms of Brad Wheal at quick tremendous leg.
Captain Brook didn’t final lengthy, scooping Michael Leask over his shoulder to Wheal to make it 86-4 however England have been at all times in management and bought house with 10 balls to spare.
Earlier, England’s bowlers discovered their mojo and vindicated Brook’s determination to discipline on profitable the toss.
After being smacked to all components of Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium in conceding 196 to the West Indies on Wednesday, England’s assault exerted rather more management at Eden Gardens.
Captain Richie Berrington top-scored for Scotland with 49 off 32 balls with 5 fours and two sixes.
He and Tom Bruce placed on 71 for the fourth wicket, however it was their solely notable partnership.
Spinner Liam Dawson ended it within the thirteenth over when Bruce was caught for twenty-four, Curran offering the secure palms at deep sq. leg.
When Adil Rashid trapped Berrington lbw within the subsequent over, Scotland collapsed, dropping their final seven wickets for 39 runs from 113-3.
Jofra Archer had been costly within the two earlier outings however made the early breakthroughs earlier than ending with an excellent 2-24 off his 4 overs.
In his second over, he hurried George Munsey into top-edging to Banton and two balls later had McMullen caught by Salt within the deep.
Michael Jones (33) holed out to Bethell off Curran and Scotland have been 42-3 on the finish of the six-over energy play and by no means threatened a aggressive whole.
Rashid was one of the best of the England bowlers with 3-36 from his 4 overs, whereas Dawson took 2-34.
