Kolkata, 16 February (Sports Desk)
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match 29 (Group C) between England and Italy was played on February 16, 2026, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. In a must-win encounter for England to secure qualification for the Super 8s, they overcame an early batting collapse and a late scare from Italy’s aggressive chase, winning by 24 runs to advance from Group C.
- Toss: England won the toss and elected to bat first (Harry Brook’s decision on a good batting track at Eden Gardens, with minimal spin and some low bounce).
- England innings: 202/7 (20 overs) – a strong recovery total after slumping to 105/5.
- Italy innings: 178 all out (19.2 overs, or 178/9 in some reports; fell short despite a spirited fight).
- Result: England won by 24 runs (qualifying for the Super 8s; Italy’s campaign ends with brave performances but no wins against top sides).
- Player of the Match: Will Jacks (England) for his explosive unbeaten 53 off 22 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes, SR 240.91) – his maiden T20 World Cup fifty came off just 21 balls (England’s fastest in the tournament history), rescuing the innings from 105/5 with late power-hitting (including two sixes in the final over off Grant Stewart) and also chipping in with 1/34 in 2 overs (key wicket of Benjamin Manenti).
England Innings (202/7 in 20 overs)
England stumbled early on a decent pitch but exploded in the death overs thanks to Jacks’ fireworks and lower-order cameos.
Key performers for England:
- Will Jacks: 53* off 22 (entered amid collapse; smashed boundaries and sixes, including emphatic half-century; partnerships with Sam Curran (54-run 6th wicket stand) and Jamie Overton (35-run 7th wicket) broke records for England in T20WCs).
- Phil Salt: 28 off 15 (aggressive start but fell in powerplay).
- Sam Curran: Cameo support in stand with Jacks.
- Others: Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c) contributed but fell cheaply (England at 105/5 after 12.4 overs).
Italy bowling highlights:
- Crishan Kalugamage: 2/41 (4 overs) – best figures; picked wickets in middle.
- Grant Stewart: 2/51 – expensive but took late scalps.
- Jaspreet Singh / others: Leaked in death as Jacks dominated.
Italy Innings (178 in 19.2 overs)
Chasing 203, Italy showed fight with explosive middle-order hitting but couldn’t sustain against England’s varied attack (pace from Jofra Archer/Sam Curran, spin from Adil Rashid/Liam Dawson).
Key performers for Italy:
- Benjamin Manenti: 60 off 25 (blistering half-century; aggressive sixes, including off Jacks; fell to Jacks’ catch at mid-on).
- Grant Stewart: 45 off 23 (late cameo; powerful hitting).
- Others: Justin Mosca (41 off 31), Harry Manenti (brief).
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England bowling highlights:
- Sam Curran: Death-over mastery; crucial wickets to end fight.
- Will Jacks: 1/34 (2 overs) – dismissed Manenti to break dangerous stand.
- Jofra Archer: 2 wickets (including late scalps).
- Jamie Overton: Closed out with final wicket (e.g., Singh c Jacks).
- Italy reached 135/4 at one point but lost 6 wickets for few runs in collapse phase.
This was a nervy but professional win for Harry Brook’s England – early batting wobble rescued by Jacks’ record-breaking fifty, followed by disciplined bowling to hold off Italy’s debutant spirit (many Italy players diaspora-born). England advance to Super 8s with momentum; Italy exit with heads high after competitive showings.
