Sam Curran mentioned England won’t “disguise” from a “want to enhance” following their restoration from 105-5 to beat enormous underdogs Italy on the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
Will Jacks hits an unbeaten 53 off 22 balls to rescue England, who gained by 24 runs to succeed in the Tremendous 8 stage in unconvincing type.
Ben Manenti registered 60 off 25 deliveries for Italy, whereas England’s Jofra Archer took each of his wickets in his first over and Jamie Overtun recorded 3-18 because the match debutants suffered elimination.
| England 202-70 (20 overs, gained by 24 runs) | Italy 178 (20 overs) |
| Jacks 53* (22), Banton 30 (21); Kalugamage 2-41 | B Manenti 60 (25) Stewart 45 (23); Overton 3-18 |
England vs Italy evaluation: The place did Harry Brook’s facet battle?
England posted 202-7 and have been lengthy in peril of sustaining one of many best shocks within the historical past of the match towards opponents helped by 45 off 25 balls from Grant Stewart after Manenti was dismissed.
Italy completed on 178, with England’s spinners conceding 102 from 9 over to take their common to 9.34 runs per over on the ultimate. Solely Oman, on 9.41, have a worse tally.
“I don’t assume we bowled very well,” Curran advised Sky Sports activities. “Groups we now have performed towards have been of various depth.
“There are just a few nerves, however I don’t assume we’re nervous. Each time we now have tried to push, we now have misplaced wickets… I assume it’s a wonderful steadiness going too exhausting and dropping wickets.
“We don’t disguise from the truth that we now have been not at our greatest. There’s a necessity to enhance. We now have to take a look at positives, too. We’re a trustworthy group and we could have trustworthy conversations within the group.”
T20 World Cup: How Will Jacks saved England
England’s begin included the lack of Jos Buttler for 3, however Jacks’ innings included 50 in 21 deliveries from quantity seven.
“It feels prefer it has been a very long time coming,” mentioned Jacks. “It has taken some time, however it’s good to get that one. I really feel I’m settling into my position down the order.”
“[Ben Manenti] performed unbelievably properly and he was putting the ball higher than us. I attempted to alter and go broad and fortunately acquired that wicket.
“If he batted for just a few extra overs, who is aware of what would have occurred? A very powerful factor is that we now have certified.”
Why Italy are ‘proud’ regardless of World Cup defeat
Italy are the lowest-ranked group on the match however recovered from a 73-run defeat to Scotland to safe a first-ever finals win with a 10-wicket victory over Nepal of their second match.
“Will Jacks batted excellently and, whenever you take it deep with the facility he has, something can occur,” mirrored captain Harry Manenti.
“It was some spectacular hitting in he chase after we misplaced just a few early. Ben [Manenti] put England beneath strain and Grant Stewart did the identical. In the event you get a partnership collectively, it could possibly get you going.
“I used to be happy with Ben. He acquired a chance to indicate how good he’s. Identical with Grant. He’s a lower-order batter so to return out and present what he’s able to made me proud, as captain.
“The affiliate nations have put strain on the ‘huge’ groups. We now have no proper towards a group like England nevertheless it’s good for the sport and a matter of getting video games beneath our belts towards class oppposition.”
England vs Italy groups
England: Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid.
Italy: Harry Manenti (c), Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Benjamin Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan.
What’s subsequent for these groups? England, Italy T20 cricket World Cup fixtures
The World Cup Tremendous 8s begin on February 22, with England set to find their opponents as soon as the Group A and Group B standings are settled on Tuesday.
Italy can nonetheless make an announcement to complete their marketing campaign after they face in-form West Indies at Eden Gardens on Thursday (05:30 GMT).
England ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
England: Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wooden, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed.
Italy ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
The way to watch the T20 World Cup: TV channel, dwell on-line stream
The T20 World Cup is being proven completely dwell within the UK on Sky Sports.
You possibly can stream it on an unlimited number of gadgets and on the transfer through the Sky Go app.
For protection elsewhere on the planet, click on HERE for particulars of your native rights holder.
