England survive Scotland in T20 World Cup

Agency :

England had another wobble but got their T20 World Cup campaign back on track with a five-wicket victory over Scotland in Kolkata – a result that leaves the Scots on the brink of a group-stage exit.

After dismissing Scotland for 152 on a good batting pitch, England lost Phil Salt and Jos Buttler in the first two overs and were 86-4 when Harry Brook was caught for four.

Defeat would have had England facing a humiliating early exit but Tom Banton fought his way through the tension to play the most important innings of his international career to date and secure victory with 10 balls to spare.

He broke the shackles by hitting spinner Mark Watt for consecutive sixes and finished 63 not out around contributions of 32 from Jacob Bethell and 28 by Sam Curran.
Scotland’s application with the ball and in the field was admirable.

They were ultimately punished for not taking advantage of the platform set by captain Richie Berrington’s 49, which had his side 113-3 in the 13th over.

Adil Rashid overcame an expensive start to finish with 3-36 for England, while an improved Jofra Archer took two wickets in the powerplay and finished with 2-23.

It means England will confirm their place in the Super 8s by beating Italy on Monday.
Scotland play Nepal in their final group match on Tuesday but may have been eliminated by other results by then.

Though Scotland’s score always looked 20 runs below par, England were troubled at one stage.

They took three wickets in the powerplay, including Archer having the dangerous George Munsey and number three Brandon McMullen miscuing pulls in a lively opening spell of three overs, but Berrington countered impressively.