England survived another scare to secure their place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup with a 24 run win over tournament debutants Italy.
England posted 202 for seven but were pushed hard in the chase, with Italy threatening one of the great World Cup shocks that would have left Harry Brook’s side facing a group stage exit. Ben Manenti struck 60 from 28 balls to keep Italy in contention and, after his dismissal sparked a brief collapse, Grant Stewart hammered 45 from 25 to keep hopes alive.
Italy required 30 from the final two overs before Sam Curran had Stewart caught at short third. With 25 needed from the final over and two wickets in hand, Jamie Overton closed out the innings as Italy were bowled out for 178.
The result sends England through after a campaign that has featured a last ball win over Nepal, defeat by West Indies and narrow victories against Scotland and Italy. Even in posting their highest total of the tournament, they struggled for fluency with the bat.
England were 105 for five before Will Jacks struck 53 not out from number seven, his first T20 international half century and England’s fastest at a T20 World Cup, coming from 21 balls. Italy’s campaign ends with a final group match in Mumbai against West Indies.
England will play their Super 8 matches in Sri Lanka starting on Sunday, with their opponents yet to be confirmed. Improvement will be required if they are to challenge deeper in the competition.
Italy had already impressed at the tournament, including victory over Nepal, but remain the lowest ranked side in the field. Their chase was all the more notable given Jofra Archer took two wickets in the opening over.
Manenti arrived after the fourth over and, alongside Mosca, added quick runs before falling to Jacks. Italy continued to attack, with Archer and Adil Rashid both targeted late in the innings. Curran’s double strike after Manenti’s dismissal restored control before Stewart’s departure ended the resistance.
Jacks’ contribution proved decisive despite conceding 34 runs from his two overs. England’s top order again failed to convert starts, with Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Brook and Curran all contributing but none producing a defining innings.
Jacks accelerated from 5/128 in the 16th over, taking advantage of a misfield before striking consecutive sixes and reaching his half century in the final over. Italy were sharp in the air but untidy on the ground, an area for improvement after an encouraging tournament showing.