As England prepare to face the United States in the final Super 8s match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, live Sky Sports Cricketwe see what it takes to reach the semifinals.
In addition, we assess what works for the defending champions in the tournament and the parts of the game that need to be cleaned up…
How can England make it to the semi-finals?
The easiest way is for England to beat the United States in Barbados on Sunday (from 3.30pm) then for toppers South Africa to beat the West Indies in Antigua on Monday. In that scenario, South Africa (six points) and England (four points) would advance, with West Indies (two points) and the USA (zero points) out.
If England and the West Indies win the last match and end up level with South Africa on four points, the two qualifying places of the Super 8s Group 2 will come down to our old friend net run-rate.
West Indies’ are the best of the three teams at the moment so a win against South Africa by any margin would take the hosts home and leave second place to England and South Africa who have a superior net-run rate.
England can still advance if they lose to the United States, although they need the West Indies to lose badly to South Africa to move above the Caribbean in net run-rate.
If the USA give England an absolute hiding, they can also make the semis with a net run-rate, but they also need South Africa to beat the West Indies so their prospects look a little bleak.
For England, the goal is to win and win well.
What do you use for English?
Trump card, as Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain called him, the leg-spinner Adil Rashid and fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Rashid took 1-21 from four overs in the eight-wicket win over the West Indies and then 1-20 in the seven-run loss to South Africa, with his seven wickets in the tournament coming at an economy rate of 7.40.
Rashid’s two-run 17th innings against the West Indies was crucial in England winning the game – as was Archer’s four-run knock which preceded the paceman’s dismissal of Nicolas Pooran’s set of batters at that time.
Archer is England’s leading wicket-taker with nine strikes at an economy rate of 7.29. He received some taps against South Africa with the first over crunched for 21, but then delivered just 19 runs over the next three overs.
His ability to burn the batter quickly and also fox it with the slower ball is an important part of England’s armoury.
We also have to give a shout-out to England’s fielding, which was impressive against South Africa. Buttler led by example with a regular one-handed catch and direct hit run-out, but there was also excellent diving from Harry Brook and Sam Curran.
Elsewhere, the one positive after the negatives from England’s top order against the Proteas was that Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) got on well, blasting 78 off 42 balls in a partnership of 61-4 in a chase of 164 and threatened to pull the heist before South Africa’s death bowlers shone.
With Brook also having smashed 47 against Namibia in the first round of the final, although he or Livingstone – so often a peripheral figure with the bat due to his lower middle-order position – will come in cold if they are needed against the USA and, England will hope, in losing stage.
What should be added?
As entertaining and useful as it may have been, standing cavalier between Brook and Livingstone could not mask some problems – however mild – further up the order.
Yes, Phil Salt fired against the West Indies with 87 from 47 balls, including 30 runs in one over, but beat others only fleeting cameos, while opening partner Buttler still to really ignite and not over fifty.
Buttler, arguably the best white-ball batter on the planet when in full flow, said the team lost to South Africa because of powerplays, with the Proteas, especially through Quinton de Kock, pummeling 63-0 and England only 41-1.
The captain will want some early oomph against the USA, whether setting the score or chasing, while England’s bowling in the first six overs is also an area that needs improvement.
Discounting the Oman game, where England reduced the association nation to 25-4 in the powerplay, they have taken just two wickets in the first six overs in their other five matches – both against Australia, but only after being dismissed. 70 runs in the first five.
He should have had a powerplay wicket against Scotland but Mark Wood was penalized for a no-ball after George Munsey ballooned to Buttler.
Wood’s more general form may be a concern for England as at 3-12 against Oman they have been smashed on the park by Australia, West Indies and South Africa, with more than 10 runs in each of those matches.
Perhaps Chris Jordan will remember in his native Barbados on Sunday, although Tom Hartley is the option if England want more rotation in the front line, when they can bring back big hitter and part-time spinner Will Jacks, who recently lost his place. to left-arm seamer Curran.
Watch England vs USA in T20 World Cup Super 8s live Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm on Saturday (3:30 first ball).
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