Banton Smashes Watt for Three Sixes
T20 World Cup, Group C, Kolkata
Scotland 152 (19.4 overs): Berrington 49 (32); Rashid 3-36, Archer 2-23
England 155-5 (18.2 overs): Banton 63 (41), Bethell 32 (28); Davidson 1-12
England experienced another moment of instability but managed to regain momentum in their T20 World Cup campaign with a five-wicket victory over Scotland in Kolkata. This result places Scotland on the verge of elimination from the group stage.
After restricting Scotland to 152 on a pitch conducive to batting, England lost early wickets with Phil Salt and Jos Buttler dismissed within the first two overs. The team found itself at 86-4 when Harry Brook was caught for four runs.
A defeat would have meant a premature exit for England, but Tom Banton delivered a crucial innings, arguably the most significant of his international career so far, guiding England to victory with 10 balls remaining.
Banton broke free by hitting spinner Mark Watt for consecutive sixes and remained unbeaten on 63, supported by Jacob Bethell’s 32 and Sam Curran’s 28.
Scotland’s bowling and fielding efforts were commendable. However, they failed to capitalize fully on the solid foundation laid by captain Richie Berrington, who scored 49 runs and helped the side reach 113-3 by the 13th over.
Adil Rashid recovered from an expensive start to finish with figures of 3-36 for England, while Jofra Archer improved his performance by taking two wickets during the powerplay, ending with 2-23.
With this win, England will secure their place in the Super 8s by defeating Italy on Monday. Scotland will face Nepal in their final group match on Tuesday but may already be eliminated depending on other results.
Notifications, social media and more with
Banton Comes of Age as England Wobble
England, having narrowly escaped defeat against Nepal and suffered a heavy loss to the West Indies, continue to seek a consistent performance at this World Cup.
While England have previously won World Cups despite group-stage losses, improvement is necessary to challenge the tournament’s strongest teams.
Scotland’s opening bowlers, Brandon McMullen and Brad Currie, both medium pacers, generated more movement than England’s bowlers. Salt and Buttler edged catches to the off-side ring for two and three runs respectively, resulting in no boundaries during the first four overs.
Jacob Bethell provided some stability with a patient innings, but England ultimately owed their success to Banton, who had not previously fulfilled his potential in 36 international matches.
Unlike Bethell, who was dismissed attempting a scoop over short fine leg, and Brook, who fell similarly, Banton played with a straight bat and appeared more comfortable than any other batter.
He scored only six runs from his first 10 deliveries and did not hit a boundary until his 11th ball.
Sam Curran struck two sixes to accelerate England’s chase, and Will Jacks hit the winning runs, but it was Banton who delivered when England needed him most.
England Recover After Berrington’s Counter-Attack
Although Scotland’s total always seemed around 20 runs short of par, England faced challenges during the match.
England took three wickets during the powerplay, including dismissals of the dangerous George Munsey and number three Brandon McMullen, both miscuing pulls in a lively opening spell of three overs by Jofra Archer.
However, Berrington responded with an impressive counter-attack.
Berrington, known for his proficiency against slow bowling, was particularly aggressive against England’s spinners. He hit Rashid for two fours and a six in his second over and led a 71-run partnership with Tom Bruce.
At 113-3 in the 13th over, Scotland’s target was effectively 190. Instead, the dismissal of Bruce triggered a collapse.
Bruce slog-swept Liam Dawson to deep square leg for 24 runs—one of six Scotland batters to wastefully hit to fielders in the deep.
In the following over, Rashid trapped Berrington lbw. Having gone wicketless for 26 runs in his first two overs, Rashid took 3-10 in his second spell.
Dawson, who finished with 2-34, also claimed the wicket of Michael Leask, who was caught in the deep.
Scotland’s collapse of 5 wickets for 14 runs in 3.3 overs ultimately cost them the 30 runs that might have kept their tournament hopes alive.
