T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: Just like Pakistan, England is continuing its red hot form in the T20 World Cup. They have beaten their arch-rival Australia by 8 wickets and remains unbeaten in the tournament. The Brits have chased a low target of 126 quite comfortably in just 11.4 overs and handed over Australia its first defeat of the tournament.
England was very confident during the chase and started smacking the Aussie bowlers all over the park right from the beginning. Openers Jason Roy (22) and Jos Buttler (71*) have made a partnership of 66 runs in 6.2 overs and almost confirmed the victory for England. Soon after Roy’s dismissal, even Dawid Malan got out. But that didn’t affect England’s rage. Buttler registered the fastest half-century of the tournament (25 balls) and finished things off with Jonny Bairstow. Thus, England scored 126/2 and won the game with 50 balls remaining.
England was brilliant with the ball too in the first innings. They have dismantled the Australian batting lineup right in the powerplay by dismissing the wickets of David Warner, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Even Marcus Stoinis got out the first ball after the powerplay. All of a sudden, Australia was 21/4. Captain Aaron Finch (44) tried to settle the innings with the help of Mathew Wade (18) and Ashton Agar (20) but the English bowlers never allowed him to go big. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc’s six-fest, in the end, helped Australia in scoring at least 125 by the end of 20 overs. Chris Jordan took three wickets (3/17) for England. Chris Woakes (2/23) and Tymal Mills (2/45) scalped two wickets each.
England has almost confirmed its semifinal berth with these three straight wins. It will next take on Sri Lanka on November 1. On the other side, the Aussies will face Bangladesh on November 4.