It looked a bleak start to the World Cup T20 competition with a crushing defeat against the West Indies in the opening Group One match. Three successive group victories followed, setting up a semi-final with the unbeaten New Zealand, but can England make the World T20 final?
The opening defeat was hard to take for the players and fans as Chris Gayle dealt a huge blow to England’s qualification chances, despite England setting a defendable 182-6. Gayle’s ferocious century left England defeated with eleven balls to spare. The century—for neutrals at least—was mesmerising as he started slowly, yet still managed to hit a 47-ball century that included eleven sixes. England’s bowling was woeful as they conceded 16 extras, including ten wides from their uncompleted 18.1 overs.
Heavy criticism followed in the first half of England’s next encounter against South Africa, who posted a blistering 229-4. Again, England’s bowling was not up to scratch as only Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid posted economy rates under ten runs per over, just. A superb run-chase ensued with England chasing down 230 runs with two wickets and two balls to spare after a sparkling 83 from Joe Root.
In their third match against Afghanistan, England had a chance to inflict their dominance with both bat and ball. This was not to be as they stumbled to 142-7 after being 85-7 at one point on a difficult Delhi pitch, with Moeen Ali top scoring with 41 not-out. The bowlers rose to the challenge, restricting Afghanistan to 127-9 with David Willey and Adil Rashid taking two wickets each.
England then faced a must-win game against Sri Lanka. Victory would see them through to the semi-final against New Zealand. Jos Buttler top-scored with a smashing 66 from 37-balls as they posted a target of 172. Sri Lanka’s reply started miserably, capitulating to 15-4 but captain Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera steadied the innings with a 70-run partnership. Mathews was left stranded on 73 not out after his partners fell around him and a muscle injury to his leg saw him limited to dealing in boundaries—three fours and five sixes.
Now the challenge begins against the unbeaten New Zealand, whose devastating bowling attack has made them a very effective side. They have both been able to defend low targets and also restrict their opponents to setting low targets when they have batted second.
What’s important to note from England’s game is that when one dynamic has stuttered, the other has stood up to see the team home. In the first two games, the bowling was below par but, even though in the first match Chris Gayle and the West Indies were able to chase down their total, the batsmen did an excellent job of carrying the team. The match against Afghanistan saw the roles reversed, with the batsmen faltering and the bowlers defending a total under 150. The final group match saw both the batsmen and bowlers gel together, posting a large total and defending it relatively comfortably in the end.
Another key factor in the match will be England’s fielding, which can save and create vital runs. The fielding has been subject to criticism over the last six months in all formats, and with Paul Collingwood—an excellent fielder in his playing days—now part of the T20 coaching team, their form has started to lift and will continue to do so. Joe Root took a stunning catch against Sri Lanka to remove Kapugedera, turning the game England’s way, showing that fielding is an element just important as the bowling and batting.
England will have to be aware of Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, who have opened the batting and both contributed match-winning innings. Williamson who has an average of 49 in three T20 internationals against England and if he is removed quickly it could be one of the key moments in the semi-final.
England take on New Zealand on Wednesday 30th March at Delhi.
