Share and Follow
Following a narrow escape from what could have been the biggest upset in World Cup history, England breathed a collective sigh of relief. However, reality quickly set in: if they continue playing as they have, the notion of facing Sri Lanka in the Super Eights might be comforting, but a third Twenty20 title remains a distant dream.
Ranked 23 places above Italy, England found themselves in a tense battle with the tournament underdogs before they eventually secured a 24-run victory, ensuring their advancement from Group C. This hard-fought win came amid earlier struggles against other associate teams like Nepal and Scotland, alongside a defeat by the West Indies.
Throughout the match, England seemed to have the upper hand against an Italian team missing its key captain, Wayne Madsen. Yet, they repeatedly allowed the spirited Italians, comprised of everyday workers like a taxi driver, a student, and a pizza chef, to regain hope through periods of lackluster performance.
The situation became precarious when Ben Manenti, the elder of the Manenti brothers, took the crease. He unleashed a ferocious attack against England, scoring a blistering 60 runs off just 25 balls, which included six towering sixes.
Manenti, one of the few professional players in Italy’s lineup, adopted an aggressive stance each time he faced a new bowler. He hit two boundaries off his first two deliveries from Will Jacks and continued his assault by hitting sixes against Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson at the start of their spells.
England survived what would have been the biggest shop in World Cup history by beating Italy
Harry Manenti was one of the few professional cricketers in an Italy team that contained a taxi driver, a student and a pizza chef
It meant Italy were ahead of England’s comparative score at the halfway stage and were still daring to dream when Manenti took 20 off four balls in the 12th over of the innings, sent down by man-of-the-match Jacks.
‘There were some emotions going around the group. Everyone was starting to get on their feet and clap and I was trying to rein in my emotions and try to stay calm because I knew the game could change and it did change – a good team like England aren’t going to just hand over a win,’ said Harry Manenti.
Indeed, Jacks snared his man from the final delivery of the over, profiting demo throwing it out wide from around the wicket when it was dragged to long-on.
It looked like the unfamiliarity of playing under lights – some of the Italians had not done so until arriving in India, and were not accustomed to 15,000 crowds either – would tell but even then they refused to buckle, with Kent’s Grant Stewart pummelling England’s premier bowlers Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer for a tally of three and two sixes respectively.
Jaspreet Singh, a Birmingham Uber driver, also contributed to a 13-12 win on the six count, leaving a 30-run requirement from the final two overs.
But for the second time in the match, those called upon in late innings by England out-performed those that went before, as Sam Curran took the sting out the game with Stewart’s dismissal before Jamie Overton applied the finishing touches.
Closing out innings with the ball was a perceived weakness ahead of this tournament, but is arguably becoming a strength, albeit against modest opposition. Curran finished with three for 22 while Overton’s three for 18 represented career-best figures.
Equally, England viewed an opening partnership of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler as a strength. It is yet to extend beyond the fourth over in four outings.
Jamie Overton applied the finishing touches as England eventually got the victory over the lineÂ
Italy’s Jaspreet Singh, a Birmingham Uber driver, contributed to a 13-12 win on the six count
Harry Brook admitted England ‘haven’t played our best cricket’ but is glad to make it through
The latest sticky start meant a maiden half-century by Jacks – in 21 balls – was required to realign the innings from a position of 105 for five. In all, 78 runs came from the final 30 deliveries alongside Curran and Overton, taking England out of range – but only just.
‘We haven’t played our best cricket but we are heading through,’ said Brook, hoping the change of scene helps.Â
Frankly, however, it will require a change in application too.