England beat Namibia in rain-reduced 10-over-a-side game to stay in T20 World Cup; Jos Buttler’s side will reach Super 8s as long as Australia defeat Scotland in St Lucia; Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow fire with bat for England in Antigua as reigning champions pile on 122-5
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Highlights of England’s much-needed win over Namibia at the T20 World Cup, as they triumphed by 41 runs on DLS
England beat the weather and Namibia at the T20 World Cup and are now sweating on the result of Scotland vs Australia to find out whether they reach the Super 8s.
The defending champions are up to second in Group B, ahead of Scotland on net run-rate, after a comfortable 41-run triumph on DLS in a game reduced to 10-overs a side by rain, one in which Harry Brook (47no off 20) top-scored.
England will now advance if already-qualified table-toppers Australia win in St Lucia in the early hours of Sunday.
Score summary – Namibia vs England
England 122-5 from 10 overs: Harry Brook (47no off 20), Jonny Bairstow (31 off 18), Moeen Ali (16 off 6), Liam Livingstone (13no off 4); Ruben Trumpelmann (2-31), David Wiese (1-6)
Namibia 84-3 from 10 overs: Michael van Lingen (33 off 29), David Wiese (27 off 12); Jofra Archer (1-15), Chris Jordan (1-19)
Image: England are up to second in T20 World Cup Group B
However, a Scotland victory or a washout will see the associate nation through at England’s expense and condemn Jos Buttler’s team to a second first-round exit in as many World Cups, after their dismal 50-over title defence last autumn.
England have fought back excellently at the T20 World Cup since an opening rain-off against Scotland in Barbados was followed by a 36-run loss to Australia at the same venue four days later.
They rolled Oman for 47 in Antigua before sprinting to victory in 19 balls to take their net-run rate above Scotland’s and were ruthless against Namibia at North Sound once the wet weather that delayed the game by three hours, soaked the Sky pundits, and threatened an abandonment – a result that would have eliminated England – cleared.
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England made a nervy start in Antigua with Jos Buttler and Phil Salt out cheaply, before the middle order fired
Buttler (0) and Phil Salt (11) fell early as England slipped to 13-2 but Brook and Jonny Bairstow (31 off 18) clubbed 56 from 30 balls in partnership before Moeen Ali (16 off six) and Liam Livingstone (13no off four) chipped in with enterprising cameos.
Livingstone nailed his first two deliveries for six in Ruben Trumpelmann’s final over, including a one-handed effort over deep backward square.
Namibia, whose target was adjusted to 126 with the match originally 11-overs-a-side before a second short rain delay trimmed an over off, could make only 84-3 in reply, although David Wiese (27 off 12) had fun, cracking Adil Rashid (0-29) for back-to-back sixes, in what is set to be his final appearance for his country.
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David Wiese was clapped off by his team-mates after being dismissed in what might be his final appearance for his country
Wiese had earlier impressed with the ball, recording figures of 1-6 from two overs at the start of England’s knock and having Salt caught behind off a knuckleball, while Trumpelmann (2-31) bowled Buttler with a vicious in-swinger.
England’s middle order fired, though, and their bowlers then proved tough to get away, save for Rashid’s over Wiese tonked for 20, with Jofra Archer taking 1-15, Chris Jordan 1-19, Reece Topley 0-6 and Sam Curran 0-13.
New Zealand and Pakistan are the highest-profile casualties so far, with England now hoping to avoid the same fate as they keep their fingers crossed for an Australia victory over Scotland in Gros Islet.
After Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood had teased manipulating the result to knock England out if the chance arose, team-mate Pat Cummins insisted those comments were tongue in cheek and that the side would never consider such a thing, saying it was “probably against the spirit of cricket.”
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Sky Sports’ Ian Ward believes Josh Hazlewood’s suggestion it would be in Australia’s ‘best interest’ to knock England out was tongue in cheek
England quick Mark Wood is certain Australia will give their all, saying: “I’m absolutely confident they’ll play the game their hardest, that’s the Australian way. They’ll play hard and fair and try to get the win.”
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