England Defeats Scotland to Revive T20 World Cup Aspirations
England revives its T20 World Cup aspirations with a crucial five-wicket victory over Scotland in Kolkata. This win came on February 14, 2026, at Eden Gardens, ensuring England remains in contention for the Super Eights.
Match Summary
Tom Banton played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 63 runs. England chased down Scotland’s total of 152, finishing at 155-5 in 18.2 overs. Their next challenge is to secure victory against Italy in their final Group C match, also at Eden Gardens.
Scotland’s Innings
Scotland was restricted to 152 runs, with Richie Berrington leading the score with 49 runs off 32 balls. The team struggled to build substantial partnerships, with Berrington’s collaboration with Tom Bruce, which added 71 runs for the fourth wicket, being their standout effort.
Bowling Highlights
Jofra Archer was instrumental for England, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs in four overs. He dismissed George Munsey and Brandon McMullen early, setting the tone for Scotland’s batting collapse.
- England’s bowling attack showed vast improvement, especially compared to their previous game against the West Indies.
- Adil Rashid delivered an impressive performance, claiming 3 wickets for 36 runs.
- Liam Dawson also contributed with 2 wickets, aiding in Scotland’s downturn, where they lost their last seven wickets for just 39 runs.
England’s Chase
The innings started shakily for England, falling to 13-2 early on. Phil Salt was dismissed for just 2 runs, and Jos Buttler failed to make an impact. However, Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton stabilized the innings, allowing England to regain control.
Despite losing Bethell for 32 and captain Harry Brook soon after, England managed to reach their target with ten balls to spare.
Next Steps
With this victory, England looks to clinch their place in the Super Eights by defeating Italy in their next match. This win against Scotland reaffirms their standing in the tournament.
Key Statistics
| Team | Score | Top Scorer | Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 152 all out | Richie Berrington (49 off 32) | Adil Rashid (3-36), Liam Dawson (2-34) |
| England | 155-5 | Tom Banton (63 not out) | Jofra Archer (2-24) |
Going forward, England’s focus will be on maintaining their momentum in the T20 World Cup, aiming for a solid performance against Italy.
