Eden Gardens erupted as England’s Will Jacks unleashed havoc, smashing an unbeaten 53 with seven boundaries to propel his side to 202/7. The formidable score hands Italy a 203-run mountain in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group C fixture. Victory here means Super 8 glory for England, with West Indies paving the way from the group.
Monday’s thriller saw openers Jos Buttler (3) and Phil Salt combine briefly for 21. Salt’s fiery 28 (15 balls, 2×4, 2×6) paired with Jacob Bethell’s 23 built a 33-run platform. But at 105/5, the innings teetered.
Jacks arrived like a tempest. His 22-ball blitz – 4×6, 3×4 – featured a match-defining 54-run burst with Sam Curran (25, 19 balls, 2×6), lifting to 159. Jacks sealed it unbeaten, adding 35 with Jamie Overton (15).
Bowling honors for Italy went to Grant Stewart and Krishan Kalugamage (2 wickets each); JJ Smuts, Ali Hassan, Ben Manenti one apiece. England XI: Salt, Buttler†, Bethell, Banton, Brook*, Curran, Jacks, Overton, Dawson, Archer, Rashid. Italy: J Mosca, A Mosca, Smuts, H Manenti*, B Manenti, Campopiano, Stewart, Meade†, J Singh, Kalugamage, A Hassan.
From early jitters to late fireworks, England’s resilience shone. Italy’s chase promises drama – underdogs versus firepower. Who blinks first in this Group C decider?