England defeated Oman by eight wickets in Antigua to significantly improve their net run-rate in the battle for the second spot in Group B’s Super Eights and keep their hopes of progressing to the second round of the T20 World Cup alive.
Oman were restricted to 47 in 13.2 overs – their fourth-lowest score in the entire T20 World Cup – as the pace of Mark Wood (3-12) and Jofra Archer (3-12) proved too much for the associate nations to handle, while Adil Rashid (4-11) mesmerised with his leg-spin.
England then reached the modest target in just 3.1 overs with Phil Salt (12 off 3 balls) scoring sixes off the first two balls of the innings and opening partner Jos Buttler scoring 24 off 8 balls, including five boundaries in the first over.
England’s net run rate is currently better than Scotland’s and they have a strong chance of progressing from Group B.
England’s net run rate is currently better than Scotland’s and they will progress to the Super Eights if they beat Namibia in Antigua on Saturday and then lose to already-qualified Australia in St Lucia a few hours later.
A Scotland win against Australia or a rainout at Gros Islet would ensure England’s elimination, as would an England-Namibia match being called off due to weather.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood had previously hinted, either seriously or jokingly, at the possibility of cheating, saying it would be in his country’s “best interests” to beat England and eliminate any chance of the teams meeting in the finals.
England may end up regretting their disastrous first-match defeat to Scotland in Barbados and their 36-run comeback defeat to Australia at the same venue. The outcome of the second match was heavily influenced by Australia’s 70-run off the first five overs, with David Warner and Travis Head hitting Wood and Will Jacks for short boundaries.
Buttler’s side still have a chance of promotion at the weekend after a ruthless display against Oman, who have lost four of their four games and are firmly bottom of the table.
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Mark Wood’s three wickets included his 50th wicket in T20 international cricket.
Wood, who was bowled out for 22 in an over by Australia on Saturday, took his sixth wicket in the first over against Oman and then got Ayaan Khan (1) out in the eighth to record his 50th T20I win in his 32nd match in the format.
Sharing the new ball with the recalled Reece Topley, Archer picked up the first two wickets thanks to a sharp low catch from Salt at cover and Jacks at backward point.
Shoaib Khan (11) was the only Oman player to reach double figures as he got No. 5 batsman Khalid Khair (1) out before Rashid smashed the tail as No. 5 batsman was stumped at Buttler’s second attempt.
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A ruthless England beats Oman for just 47 in the T20 World Cup
Buttler then watched as Salt smashed the first two balls of England’s counter-attack over the extra-cover boundary, his opening partner was out with the next ball and the captain took command when Jacks (5) was dismissed at the end of the second over.
Buttler smashed four fours and a six off Bilal Khan in the third over before Jonny Bairstow (2 for 8) hit a winning boundary off Faiyaz Butt as England finished their chase with just 19 balls to give their World Cup defence a boost.
Butler: Another big game coming up
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When asked if they would rely on other teams’ performances to qualify for the Super Eights, Jos Buttler said the team had no choice but to “focus on ourselves”.
England captain Jos Buttler:
“Our bowlers really stepped up, got some early wickets, restricted them and got the better of them. Job done today and we have another big game in two days.”
“They bowled brilliantly – the ball had great bounce, Topley was tall and Archer had a high release point so they were really challenging bowlers on that surface but I thought the line and length of their delivery was really good.”
“we [the batters] Then, be super positive. We’ve talked about this going into it. We have to win games and have the advantage in net run rate when we have the chance.
“We have a lot of confidence in the team and we have some big games coming up.”
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Look at Phil Salt hitting two sixes in the first three balls against Oman before being run out.
What’s next?
England They will face Namibia in Antigua on Saturday at 6pm (UK & Ireland time). Scottish The final leg of Group B will see the match against Australia kick off at 1.30am on Sunday in St Lucia.
IrelandMeanwhile, they face the USA in Florida on Friday at 3:30pm and need a win to keep their hopes of progressing from Group A alive.
If the U.S. wins or loses, the co-hosts will advance to the Super Eight along with already-qualified India and will have to beat winless Ireland, Pakistan and Canada.
You can watch every T20 World Cup match live on Sky Sports, including the final in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
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