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T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler’s England make timely statement by pulverising USA for semi-final spot | Cricket News

On: June 23, 2024 By: admin

In a game of small margins, Jos Buttler ensured his side wouldn’t be left teetering on the edge of semi-final qualification.

Instead, the England skipper showcased his breath-taking, solar panel-breaking, batting abilities, hitting an unbeaten 82 off 38 balls, to catapult his team into the penultimate stage of the T20 World Cup, and take the lead in the Group 2 table.

But this victory wasn’t solely a tale for the batters.

Earlier, England’s bowlers set up the platform for a rapid victory bowling USA out for 115 on a dry pitch in Barbados, with Chris Jordan taking a hat-trick in the final over, in his hometown, in front of former Barbadian cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers, for the first time in England’s Men’s T20 internationals.

“It was quite a statement,” said Sky Sports Cricket’s Ian Ward.

“I know it was just the United States of America and England are expected to beat sides like them, but the way it was finished off by the captain was some statement.

“Some of the striking from Jos Buttler was magnificent, especially on a pitch that dried out significantly. England, historically, can sometimes stumble a little bit when those pitches get tired but they won the game in some style today.

“It has not been smooth sailing, as we know, but England have done it, and you compare and contrast that with South Africa who have won all of their games so far but if they lose this evening, they’re out of the T20 World Cup.

“If you go back to the 50-over World Cup in 2019 when Eoin Morgan’s side won, they stumbled as well. They had a position where they had to win all their remaining games to qualify and they did.

“And if you go back to the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, the same thing happened here. England had their backs against the wall and they found a way of winning.

“It’s an underlying strength of this side and if there’s any question marks about them, it stems from what happened in India, but I think lessons from that disastrous World Cup have been learnt.”

England’s Harry Brook vowed to give USA a “a good battering” ahead of their clash, a sentiment that certainly resonated in how their team obliterated the associates.

It only took Buttler 9.4 overs to pulverise USA as he smashed seven sixes, one of which broke the solar panels at the Kensington Oval, and four boundaries.

“Topping the group and net run-rate was on my mind,” Buttler admitted in the post-match press conference.

“Once we got through the first overs it was really about trying to target this side with the wind.

“I think we’ve got great options for our team. We chose Jordan because we wanted the all-rounder capabilities and he executed that fantastically, a World Cup hat-trick is a great effort.

“Really important to take this form into the semi-finals, I’ve been feeling good all year, I’m hitting the ball well and it’s nice to get that confidence.

“It’s important for me to look after my own game as well, as much as trying to be a captain and have a broad view, I’m still one of 11 and have to do my job.”

Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

T20 World Cup: How England can reach the semi-finals and where they need to improve ahead of USA match | Cricket News

On: June 22, 2024 By: admin

As England prepare to face USA in their final Super 8s match at the T20 World Cup on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket, we look at what they need to reach the semi-finals.

Plus we assess what is working for the defending champions in the tournament and which parts of their game they need to tidy up…

How can England make the semi-finals?

The simplest way is for England to defeat USA in Barbados on Sunday (from 3.30pm) and then for table toppers South Africa to knock off West Indies in Antigua on Monday. In that scenario, South Africa (six points) and England (four points) will advance, with West Indies (two points) and USA (zero points) going out.

If England and West Indies both win their final matches and end up level with South Africa on four points, the two qualification spots from Super 8s Group 2 will come down to our old friend net run-rate.

West Indies’ is the best of the three sides at the moment so a win over South Africa by any margin will take the host nation through and leave the second spot to whichever of England and South Africa has the superior net-run rate.

England could still progress if they lose to USA, although they would then need West Indies to lose heavily to South Africa in order to end up above the Caribbean side on net run-rate.

If USA give England an absolute hiding, they could also make the semis on net run-rate, but they would also require South Africa to thump West Indies so their prospects do seem rather bleak.

For England, the goal is to win and win well.

What is working for England?

The trump cards, as Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain called them, in leg-spinner Adil Rashid and fast bowler Jofra Archer.

Rashid bagged 1-21 from four overs in the eight-wicket win over West Indies and then 1-20 in the seven-run loss to South Africa, with his seven wickets in the tournament coming at an economy rate of 7.40.

Rashid’s two-run 17th over against West Indies was crucial in England winning that game – as was the four-run over from Archer that preceded it with the paceman dismissing set batter Nicolas Pooran in that time.

Archer is England’s leading wicket-taker with nine strikes at an economy rate of 7.29. He received some tap against South Africa with his first over crunched for 21, but he then shipped only 19 runs across his next three.

His ability to ruffle batters with speed and also fox them with slower balls is a vital part of England’s armoury.

We should also give a shout-out to England’s fielding, which was stunning against South Africa. Buttler led by example with a spectacular one-handed catch and direct hit run-out, but there were also excellent diving grabs from Harry Brook and Sam Curran.

Elsewhere, one positive after the negative of England’s top order folding against the Proteas was that Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) were afforded a decent hit, spanking 78 from 42 balls in partnership from 61-4 in a chase of 164 and threatening to pull off a heist before the South Africa’s death bowlers shone.

With Brook having also smashed 47 against Namibia in the final first-round match, neither he nor Livingstone – so often a peripheral figure with the bat owing to his lower middle-order position – will come in cold should they be needed against USA and, England will hope, in the knockout stages.

What needs to improve?

As entertaining and useful as it may have been, the cavalier stand between Brook and Livingstone cannot mask some of the issues – however mild – higher up the order.

Yes, Phil Salt fired against West Indies with 87 off 47 balls, including 30 runs in one over, but his other knocks have only been fleeting cameos, while opening partner Buttler is still to truly ignite and is yet to pass fifty.

Buttler, arguably the best white-ball batter on the planet when in full flow, said his side lost to South Africa due to the powerplays, with the Proteas, chiefly through Quinton de Kock, pummelling 63-0 and England just 41-1.

The skipper will want more oomph early on against USA, whether setting a score or chasing, while England’s bowling in the first six overs is also an area that needs a lift.

Discounting the Oman game, in which England reduced the associate nation to 25-4 in the powerplay, they have taken just two wickets in the first six overs across their five other fixtures – both of those against Australia but only after they had been creamed for 70 runs inside the first five.

They should have had a powerplay wicket against Scotland but Mark Wood was penalised for a no-ball after George Munsey ballooned to Buttler.

Wood’s form more generally may be a concern for England as around his sizzling 3-12 against Oman he has been smashed around the park by Australia, West Indies and South Africa, going at in excess of 10 runs an over in each of those matches.

Perhaps Chris Jordan will be eyeing a recall in his native Barbados on Sunday, although Tom Hartley is an option if England want more frontline spin, while they could always bring back big hitter and part-time spinner Will Jacks, who has recently lost his place to left-arm seamer Curran.

Watch England vs USA in the T20 World Cup Super 8s live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm on Sunday (3.30pm first ball).

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T20 World Cup: Shai Hope rescues West Indies in win over USA | Cricket News

On: June 22, 2024 By: admin

West Indies revived their fortunes as their nine-wicket run over the co-hosts USA put them second in Group 2 of the T20 World Cup.

West Indies needed a win and a bump in the net run rate, and took control after the USA were bowled out for 128.

A rain delay failed to dampen their spirits with Barbadian off-spinner Roston Chase took 3-19 and pace bowler Andre Russell was 3-31.

It took West Indies just 10.5 overs to overhaul the co-hosts, with Shai Hope thumping eight sixes and four boundaries, and Nicholas Pooran stroking 27 from 12 balls.

“Credit has to be given to the boys, we set out to achieve a goal and we did,” said West Indies skipper Rovman Powell.

The Americans started well, with Andries Gous handling pace bowlers Obed McCoy and Alzarri Joseph conceding 12 and 15 respectively.

Gous was lucky to survive a dropped chance by Joseph, only to be caught by Hope for 29, with three fours and a six to his name.

Chase was responsible for bowling out the USA’s dangerous skipper Aaron Jones for 11, and from there, the co-hosts struggled.

Hope’s attacking play saw him reach his half-century in 28 balls, with four sixes and four boundaries, to the delight of the Barbadian crowd.

“To do it at home is a great feeling, with my parents and my friends watching,” said Hope.

“This is my favourite place to play cricket. It’s our destiny and our goal to win the World Cup.”

What next?

West Indies face South Africa on Monday (1.30am UK and Ireland), while hosts USA face England on Sunday (3.30pm UK and Ireland).

Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

T20 World Cup: Nasser Hussain says England still in decent spot after South Africa loss, must not take USA lightly | Cricket News

On: June 22, 2024 By: admin

Nasser Hussain reflects on England’s seven-run defeat to South Africa in St Lucia at the T20 World Cup, a result that leaves Jos Buttler’s side needing victory over USA in Barbados on Sunday as they look to reach the semi-finals…

England fought hard and fielded brilliantly but I think South Africa won the game in the powerplay [scoring 63-0 compared to England’s 41-1].

That was the best time to bat on a slow, slightly drier pitch and Quinton de Kock was brilliant in that period.

South Africa took 21 off a Jofra Archer over which meant they were ahead before it started to become more difficult to bat.

England lost but it is not all doom and gloom as they already have Super 8s points on the board after beating West Indies.

It leaves England a little bit vulnerable, there is pressure on with the USA match being must-win, but they are playing good cricket and if they take that to Barbados they should be okay.

However, USA will want to cause another upset after beating Pakistan earlier in the competition and they are a very good side so you play them with the same force you play Australia, South Africa or whoever.

You give them the respect they deserve, try to win the game and then perhaps think about your net run-rate as qualification could come down to that.

England get combinations right as South Africa show their steel

Bowling-wise I think England have now gone for the right combination bringing Reece Topley into the side after he didn’t start the tournament, but the two trump cards are Archer and Adil Rashid.

Rashid is having such a good tournament and, while he doesn’t always get four or five wickets, he gets key wickets and very rarely goes around the park.

He is a huge asset as he can bowl in any phase of the game.

I know Archer went for one big over against South Africa but he is someone who regularly nails his yorkers and he was superb in that 16th over against West Indies, conceding only four runs.

As for South Africa, they kept their nerve.

They have won some close games in this tournament and they are unbeaten, winning six from six, and playing good cricket.

Against West Indies, England had one or two bowlers they could attack but in this South Africa bowling line-up they all have a role to play and are highly disciplined.

Ottneil Baartman got it wrong in one over, bowling full tosses, but Keshav Maharaj bowled beautifully with his left-arm spin, bowling slowly at times.

South Africa’s fielding was also superb, with Aiden Markram’s catch to dismiss Harry Brook in the last over with 14 needed probably the game-changing moment.

Brook is a real talent – not just one for the future but for the here and now. He is elegant off-side and leg-side.

He came in at a difficult time at 61-4 and whereas other batters had struggled, he didn’t struggle at all.

What’s next?

England head to Barbados to play USA on Sunday (3.30pm UK and Ireland), while South Africa travel to Antigua to face West Indies on Monday (1.30am).

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USA vs South Africa: Andries Gous’s unbeaten 80 in vain as co-hosts beaten in first Super 8s game | Cricket News

On: June 19, 2024 By: admin

South Africa held off a late threat from co-hosts USA as they completed a nervy 18-run victory at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to kick off the Super 8s stage of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

Chasing 195 for victory, USA’s Andries Gous (73) made a spectacular 33-ball fifty to give his side hope of pulling off another famous victory, smashing three sixes in the 18th over to slash their required total to 28 from 12 balls.

However, the South African-born Gous was unable to get his side over the line after some tight bowling from Kagiso Rabada (3-18) and Anrich Nortje (1-37) at the death held them to 176-6.

Earlier, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (74) smashed seven boundaries and five sixes during his outing, hitting his highest score of the tournament as he shared a terrific second-wicket partnership worth 110 runs alongside his captain Aiden Markram (46).

Heinrich Klaasen (36no) and Tristan Stubbs (20no) shared an unbeaten 53-run partnership to trouble the co-hosts even further and help South Africa post 194-4.

USA’s left-arm bowler Saurabh Netravalkar (2-21), who bowled the famous Super Over during their historic victory against Pakistan, and spinner Harmeet Singh (2-24) both picked up two wickets apiece but were unable to fully eliminate the threat of South Africa’s big hitters.

The victory means South Africa move to the top of Group 2 with two points with USA behind in second place.

More to follow…

Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

What’s next?

South Africa head to Saint Lucia for their clash against defending champions England on Friday 21 June (3.30pm UK and Ireland), while USA go to Barbados for their meeting against co-hosts West Indies on Saturday 22 June (1.30pm UK and Ireland).

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USA through to T20 World Cup Super 8s; Ireland, Pakistan and Canada eliminated | Cricket News

On: June 14, 2024 By: admin

USA have qualified for the Super 8s at the T20 World Cup after their game against Ireland in Florida was abandoned, with Ireland, Pakistan and Canada now eliminated.

Heavy rainfall caused by tropical storms had battered the Florida area and left the outfield unplayable with the game officially called off after a number of inspections.

The point tournament debutants USA earned for the washout takes them onto five points from four fixtures in Group B, a tally winless Ireland, as well as Pakistan and Canada, are unable to match.

USA join table-toppers India in progressing from the pool, with the co-hosts to play South Africa, West Indies and either defending champions England or Scotland in Super 8s Group 2 next week.

USA beat Canada in their opening game and then stunned 2009 champions Pakistan in a Super Over to make it two wins from two, before pushing India during a seven-wicket defeat.

Pakistan followed the shock loss to USA with a six-run reverse against India and, although victory over Canada on Tuesday kept them in the mix, the USA-Ireland washout has now cost them.

Ireland suffered an eight-wicket thrashing against India before a 12-run loss to Canada left them needing to win their remaining two games to have a chance of making the second round.

Paul Stirling’s side will now look to chalk up their first win of the tournament when they finish off against Pakistan in Florida on Sunday (4pm), with India concluding their group campaign against Canada at the same venue on Saturday (3.30pm).

India will head into Super 8s Group 1, joining 2021 champions Australia and Afghanistan as well as one of Bangladesh, Netherlands or Nepal, with the latter three sides still in the running to advance from Group D.

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T20 World Cup: India survive major scare vs USA to qualify for Super 8s | Cricket News

On: June 12, 2024 By: admin

India survived a sizeable scare against the USA as the Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosts threatened to pull off another stunning upset in their Group A meeting in New York.

Having beaten Pakistan in one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time in their previous match, the USA had India rattled at 10-2 in the third over of their pursuit of 111 to win.

Virat Kohli was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Saurabh Netravalkar (2-18), who previously represented India at the 2010 Under-19s World Cup but who has worked as an engineer for the past six years in the States.

Netravalkar, who bowled the winning Super Over in the upset victory over Pakistan, also picked up captain Rohit Sharma (3) in his next over, but his later drop of Suryakumar Yadav (50no) would prove costly as India ultimately won by seven wickets.

Rishabh Pant (18) was clean-bowled by Ali Khan (1-21) with one that kept low to beat the big-hitting left-hander, further troubling India at 44-3.

But the key moment came in the 13th over when Suryakumar was dropped on 22 with India still requiring a further 53 from 45 deliveries.

He cashed in on the reprieve, bringing up his half-century shortly before Shivam Dube (29no) hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare, clinching India’s progress through to the Super 8s stage of the tournament.

The USA will join them as runners-up should they beat Ireland in their final group game on Friday. Defeat would potentially open the door to Pakistan or Ireland – who meet on Sunday – to qualify in their place.

Earlier, after India won the toss and elected to bowl first, Arshdeep Singh (4-9) was the star of the show, taking two wickets in his opening over to immediately reduce the US to 3-2.

Steven Taylor provided 24 valuable runs to steady the ship, while Nitish Kumar top-scored with 27, the odd lusty blow provided along the way as the US posted a score of 110-8.

With Canada’s 137 in their win over Ireland proving the highest total so far in the seven prior matches played on the low-scoring New York surface, the USA’s total would prove more than competitive but India’s experience and the class of Suryakumar, in particular, ultimately told.

What’s Next in Group A?

The USA face Ireland in their final group game on Friday knowing victory guarantees their progress through to the Super 8s.

India face Canada on Saturday, while Pakistan’s clash with Ireland on Sunday could prove pivotal were the USA to be defeated by the latter two days prior.

Each match will be played in Lauderhill, Florida, all scheduled for 3.30pm UK time and all live on Sky Sports Cricket.

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T20 World Cup: USA beat Pakistan in historic triumph after thrilling Super Over win | Cricket News

On: June 6, 2024 By: admin

The USA caused a huge, historic shock in the T20 World Cup with a thrilling Super Over win over Pakistan in Texas.

The game went to the extra over after both sides made 159 in their 20 overs at Grand Prairie Stadium, with tournament co-hosts and debutants USA scoring 14 in the final over to tie Pakistan’s total.

Batting first in the Super Over, the USA then ramped up the pressure on their opponents by putting 18 runs on the board amid some chaotic Pakistan bowling and fielding. Unable to find an answer, Pakistan fell short in their quest with the bat finishing on 13 to hand the USA a famous five-run win.

Having already beaten Canada in their Group A opener last Sunday by seven wickets, the USA now have a great chance of making the Super 8 round.

Pakistan had given themselves plenty to do in the match by falling to 26-3 early on after a making number of errors.

More to follow…

What’s next?

In one of the most storied rivalries in cricket, Pakistan next meet India meet in Group A of the Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, with the match getting under way at 3.30pm UK and Ireland time. Build-up on Sky Sports Cricket begins at 3pm.

The USA’s next match is also against India, at the same New York venue, on Wednesday June 12 at 3.30pm.

Watch every match of the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, right up until the final on Sunday June 29.

Tag: USA

T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler’s England make timely statement by pulverising USA for semi-final spot | Cricket News