Italy Push England Hard at Eden Gardens

At Eden Gardens, England posted 203 and expected a smoother defence. Italy, however, fought strongly before being bowled out for 178. They slipped to 1 for 2 in the first over bowled by Jofra Archer, but Australian-born allrounders Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart changed the mood of the match. The pair smashed 11 sixes between them and kept England under pressure for most of the chase.

Will Jacks Rescues England Again

For the second time in four games, England relied heavily on Will Jacks batting at No. 7. Against Nepal, he scored 38 not out off 19 balls in a four-run win. In this match, he struck the fastest half-century by an England player at a T20 World Cup. His innings proved crucial in another tight contest.

England had slipped to 105 for 5 after 14 overs. Their top order failed again despite Brook winning the toss for the fourth time and choosing to bat. Jacks, supported by Sam Curran and Jamie Overton, powered 78 runs in the final five overs. That late surge pushed the total past 200 and gave England hope.

Italy Fight Back in the Chase

Italy looked out of the game at 22 for 3, but Manenti and Justin Mosca added 92 runs for the fourth wicket. Their partnership kept the target within reach. A middle-order collapse of 4 for 24 hurt Italy’s chances, yet Stewart’s late hitting — including back-to-back sixes in a 21-run over from Adil Rashid — brought the match alive again.

Italy needed 30 runs from the final two overs. Stewart looked dangerous, but he sliced Curran to short third, effectively ending the contest. Overton then took two wickets in the last over to confirm England’s progress to the next stage in Sri Lanka.

Manenti and Stewart Lead Italy’s Charge

Manenti, who averages just 9.23 in the Big Bash League, played with bold intent after Italy fell to 22 for 3. He attacked spin immediately, hitting boundaries off Jacks, Rashid, and Liam Dawson. He reached a 22-ball fifty — his second of the tournament — before falling while attempting another big shot.

Mosca added a steady 43 off 34 balls. Curran’s double strike in the 16th over slowed Italy’s momentum, but Stewart continued to attack. He hit Archer for six and punished Rashid before finally getting out in the closing stages.

England’s Top Order Struggles Again

Although England crossed 200 in a T20 World Cup match for the first time in nearly ten years, their innings lacked stability. Italy’s spinners controlled the middle overs and took regular wickets with sharp fielding.

Before the tournament, England’s opening pair of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt were considered one of the strongest in the world. However, both have struggled. Buttler miscued to mid-off, while Salt fell after a quick start. Across eight innings, the pair have managed only 114 runs combined.

Jacob Bethell scored 23 off 20 balls before getting out, and Brook fell attempting another big shot. When Tom Banton was dismissed, England were in trouble at 105 for 5.

Jacks Proves His Value at No. 7

Jacks normally opens the batting but has moved to No. 7 since Brook became captain. He once again delivered under pressure. He launched crucial sixes at the death and reached his half-century with consecutive maximums. It was only the second time an England No. 7 had scored a T20I fifty.

Unlike the previous T20 World Cup, when Jacks lost his place during the semi-final run, he now looks secure. He is England’s second-highest run-scorer in this tournament, behind Bethell. Only Shimron Hetmyer and Ishan Kishan have hit more sixes than his nine so far.

Brief Scorecard