Kolkata : England kept their Twenty20 World Cup campaign alive with a five-wicket victory over Scotland at Eden Gardens on Friday, chasing down 153 with 10 balls to spare in a contest that was closer than it needed to be.
England finished on 155-5 after Scotland were bowled out for 152, with Tom Banton anchoring the reply with an unbeaten 63 off 41 balls – his first half-century at a T20 World Cup.
The chase lacked fluency at times and is unlikely to trouble potential Super Eights opponents, but the result leaves England’s qualification hopes firmly in their own hands heading into their final group match against Italy.
Scotland’s total was built around George Berrington’s 49, while England leg-spinner Adil Rashid claimed 3-36 to keep the target within reach.
Banton proved the difference in the run chase, dominating Scotland’s premier spinner Mark Watt. He plundered 22 runs from Watt’s opening over and took 28 from 11 deliveries overall, repeatedly targeting the straight boundary.
Sam Curran provided vital momentum with 28 off 20 balls, including a towering six over long-on off Watt as England accelerated after a cautious middle phase. Watt’s two overs cost 35 runs, leaving Scotland struggling to contain the scoring.
With the equation dipping below a run a ball, England closed in calmly. Will Jacks, who had been dropped at midwicket off Watt’s final delivery, sealed the win with a straight six before pulling Brad Wheal through midwicket for the decisive boundary.
England’s victory over their oldest rivals revives their campaign, but sterner tests are likely to follow if they progress to the next stage.
