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KOLKATA: Will Jack’s record fifty helped sloppy England edge past Italy in a nervy 24-run win in the 29th fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Eden Gardens on Monday.
More to follow…
Set 203, Italy were bowled out for 178 on the final ball of the innings.
Jofra Archer inflicted a poor start on Italy lost their three wickets inside four overs.
Consequently, Italy were 22-3 when skipper Ben Manenti arrived at the crease and steadied their innings with a 92-run stand alongside Justin Mosca.
The duo not only launched a recovery but also counterattacked, keeping the required run rate in control.
The promising stand eventually culminated with Ben Manenti’s wicket, who was caught after tonking Will Jacks for two sixes and a four.
Jacks had the last laugh as he was caught long on, scoring 60 off 25, hitting six maximums and four boundaries.
Despite the wicket, Italy were in the hunt with Grant Stewart providing them hope, hitting a brisk 45 from 23 with the aid of five sixes and two fours.
But his wicket in the penultimate over dashed Azurri’s hopes of sealing a memorable win.
For England, Jamie Overton took three wickets in his four overs while giving away only 18.
Earlier, England posted 202-7 in their 20 overs in a must-win Group C clash against Italy.
Most of England’s batters got good starts against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament after Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat.
But only Jacks, who reached his fifty off 21 balls, capitalised as Italy kept chipping away with regular wickets.
Jacks took the game by the scruff of the neck after England stuttered to 105-5 in the 13th over.
He put on 54 in 25 balls with Sam Curran (25) for the sixth wicket and 35 in 16 balls with Jamie Overton (15) for the seventh.
His fourth six, which took him to his fifty, also saw England pass 200 for the first time in the tournament, with Jacks finishing 53 not out off 22 balls.
An England win will guarantee their passage to the Super Eights along with the already-qualified West Indies from Group C.
A defeat will leave them with two wins and two losses from their four matches and reliant on the final group results this week going their way.
England named an unchanged side for the third match running and were 56-2 at the end of the six-over power play, having lost both openers.
Jos Buttler, who has failed to pass 30 in the tournament so far, continued his run of low scores with three.
Phil Salt got off to a rapid start before also falling for 28 off 15 balls with two sixes.
Both were caught attempting big hits and, when Jacob Bethell followed suit for 23, England were wobbling at 67-3 in the eighth over.
Brook took a four and a six off the first two balls of JJ Smuts’ third over.
He edged the next ball to wicketkeeper Gian-Piero Meade, trying to cut, and England were 92-4 after 11 overs.
