England survived a scare to reach the semi-finals of the Men’s T20 World Cup with a shock four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Sydney. Chasing a win-or-fail match of 142, England were 75-0 in the eighth over before a collapse of 5-36 put them in danger. They needed 13 from 12 balls with four wickets in hand, but Ben Stokes’ calm 42 not out saw them to victory with two balls to spare at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It sets up a semi-final in Adelaide on Thursday, likely against India, who must beat Zimbabwe on Sunday. England also recovered superbly with the ball to restrict Sri Lanka to 141-8 after racing to 52-1 after five overs. Adil Rashid skillfully stopped the scoring and claimed the crucial wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka for 67 off 45 balls in replay figures of 1-16 from four overs. Mark Wood recovered when he conceded 17 in his first over to take 3-26 from three, while Sam Curran was outstanding for his 1-27. England’s win eliminated hosts and defending champions Australia and kept their own bid to win the T20 world title for a second time alive. T20 World Cup: England lose cheap vignettes against Sri Lanka
Stokes delivers when England need him
It should have been much easier for England given the roar of the chase, but the pressure of the situation, combined with Sri Lanka’s clever spinners and a tiring pitch, made for an unexpectedly tense finale. When Chris Woakes cut seamer Lahiru Kumara to a vocal section of England fans for the boundary that sealed victory, the relief was palpable. Captain Jos Buttler added 28 in a thrilling opening stand with Hales, but when he picked Wanindu Hasaranga on the bike at deep mid-wicket, the slide began. T20 World Cup: Alex Hales dismisses England with 47 Hales finished toe-to-toe at Hasaranga, Liam Livingstone bowled to long-on, Moeen Ali chipped straight to extra cover and Sam Curran hooked at fine leg. England were also hampered by the loss of Dawid Malan – he did not bat due to a groin injury sustained on the field – but throughout Stokes was lackluster. Although his place in this team was questioned after scoring double figures in six innings since being recalled to the T20 squad, he once again delivered when England needed him most on the big occasion. He made only two fours, but expertly picked spaces for ones and twos. When he left the field, he did so with the England fans wildly singing Sweet Caroline in that famous stadium. It means England join New Zealand in the last four and do so with real momentum.
England’s bowlers bounce back after a slow start
A poor start with the ball cost England against Ireland when they let the openers slip away on the powerplay in a shock defeat that left them in that perilous position in the group. When Nissanka caused similar carnage – hitting the second ball of the match for a six off Stokes – England were on the back foot. Livingstone hit a fine slip at deep square leg to dismiss opener Kusal Mendis, but it took the introduction of Rashid to stem the flow of runs. T20 World Cup: Livingstone slides in to take a stunning catch in the deep He conceded just two in the sixth over before the seamers wisely switched to a mix of slower balls and cutters. Curran was the choice. Taking the second wicket, Dhanajaya de Silva hit a slower ball to deep mid-wicket, conceding only 11 in two overs at the death. Rashid had not taken a wicket in England’s previous four World Cup matches, but his economical spell was rewarded with the wicket of Nishanka, who erred high to long-on. After that the innings petered out with Wood taking two wickets in the final over. If England can perfect the innings opener, they have an attack to fear. T20 World Cup: Best shots of Pathum Nissanka’s 67
“Our best game is ahead of us” – what they said
England captain Josh Buttler on the BBC Test Match special: “He was a lot more nervous than he should have been but we found a way to get the job done. “I still think our best game is ahead of us in the tournament. We did enough to get through and now it’s time to go to the real knockout stage and express ourselves. “Ben Stokes was there. He’s a proper winner and he showed it in a different way today.” England bowler Mark Wood: “I was as nervous as anything waiting to hit with my pads. Hopefully my heart rate will drop. “We’re going to the semi-final. We want to go one better this time, having gone to that stage last time. If it’s India, it will be a great match.” Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood: “England have strength throughout the line-up and great options with the ball. They have the potential to go on and win the tournament and I will be watching with great interest.”
