GEORGETOWN, Guyana — England’s defence of their T20 World Cup title remains alive, but only just, after a heart-stopping 24-run victory over tournament debutants Italy at the Providence Stadium. The win secures their place in the Super 8s, yet the manner of it—a nervy, error-strewn performance against a spirited Associate nation—has raised serious questions about their ability to progress further in the competition.
Chasing a modest target of 181, Italy, led by a magnificent 84 from 47 balls by captain Gareth Berg, roared to 142 for 3 in the 15th over, sending shockwaves through the English camp and their travelling supporters. For a period, a seismic upset of unprecedented proportions in global cricket felt not just possible, but probable. Ultimately, England’s greater depth of experience and a clutch final spell from Adil Rashid saw them home, but the scars from the scare will linger.
A Stuttering Start and a Middle-Order Resurgence
England’s innings was a tale of two halves, mirroring their inconsistent tournament form. After being asked to bat first on a used pitch, they lost both openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, inside the powerplay. The innings stalled, with the score a concerning 77 for 3 after 11 overs. The Italian bowling attack, disciplined and fearless, exploited English indecision. At that stage, a total of 140 seemed a struggle.
The rescue mission was launched by Moeen Ali and the ever-reliable Liam Livingstone. Moeen, promoted to number five, played a captain’s knock, striking a fluent 46 from 28 deliveries. He found the perfect partner in Livingstone, who blasted an unbeaten 54 from just 28 balls, an innings featuring four sixes. Their 98-run partnership from 49 balls transformed the innings, propelling England to a competitive, if not imposing, 180 for 4.
Reflecting on the precarious position, Livingstone acknowledged the pressure: "We were under the pump there for a little while. Credit to Italy, they bowled really well in that middle period and made it very hard for us. It was just about trying to build a partnership and target the last five overs."
The Berg Storm and English Panic
If England believed 181 was safe, those illusions were shattered by Italian skipper Gareth Berg. The 43-year-old veteran, born in South Africa and a former county cricketer, played the innings of his life. He launched a brutal assault on the English attack, particularly targeting the seamers. His powerful hitting, which included 7 sixes, brought his team firmly into the contest and exposed England’s vulnerabilities.
England’s fielding, usually a strength, descended into panic. Key moments included:
- A dropped catch by Chris Jordan when Berg was on 40.
- Several misfields that turned ones into twos and boundaries.
- A palpable sense of tension that spread from the field to the dugout.
The required rate dipped below 9 an over, and with wickets in hand, Italy were favourites. England captain Jos Buttler admitted his side were rattled: "Massive credit to Italy, Gareth Berg played an outstanding innings. They put us under a huge amount of pressure. For a while there, we were certainly staring down the barrel."
Rashid’s Redemption and the Final Twist
The turning point came with the dismissal of Berg. Attempting another heave off Adil Rashid, he was brilliantly caught on the long-on boundary by a back-pedalling Phil Salt. Rashid, who had conceded 23 runs in his first two overs, was entrusted with the 16th over and delivered masterfully. He removed Berg and the dangerous Marcus Campopiano in the same over, effectively slamming the door shut.
From there, the Italian challenge faded. Jofra Archer, bowling with searing pace at the death, and Mark Wood cleaned up the tail, with Italy finishing on 156 for 8. Rashid’s figures of 3 for 34 were costly but ultimately decisive. His ability to strike under extreme pressure highlighted the gulf in big-match experience between the sides.
A philosophical Berg, named Player of the Match, was proud but heartbroken: "We came here to win, not just participate. To get so close is incredibly tough. The boys were outstanding, but in those last few overs, their class showed. We showed the world what Italian cricket is about."
Super 8s Secured, But Questions Abound
While the result ensures England advance from Group B alongside Australia, the performance was far from convincing. It followed a comprehensive 36-run loss to the Aussies and a scrappy win over Oman. Concerns persist around the top-order consistency and the fragility of the bowling attack when plans are disrupted by aggressive batting.
The Super 8s stage presents a significant step up in quality, with likely opponents including the West Indies, South Africa, and the USA. England will need rapid improvement. As Buttler succinctly put it: "The good thing is we’re through. But we know we have to play a lot better. We’ve been short of our best so far, and that needs to change quickly."
For Italy, their first World Cup campaign ends, but their legacy is secure. They have earned global respect, played an exhilarating brand of cricket, and provided the tournament with one of its most memorable moments. For England, the title defence continues, but the alarm bells are ringing loudly. They progressed, but the scare against Italy was a stark warning that their crown is hanging by a thread.