England Power Into Super 8 After Hard-Fought 24-Run Victory Against Italy

England survived a fierce scare from tournament debutants Italy to clinch a 24-run victory at Eden Gardens on Monday, sealing their place in the Super 8 after a gripping Group C clash that went down to the wire.

A blistering unbeaten 53 off 22 balls from Will Jacks and Sam Curran’s incisive 3/22 proved the difference, but Italy’s fearless fight ensured the two-time champions were pushed to their limits.

Opting to bat, England posted 202/7 but never fully broke free of Italy’s discipline. Phil Salt set the tone with a brisk 28 off 15, yet regular strikes prevented momentum from building. Grant Stewart removed Jos Buttler with his first ball, while Ali Hasan kept things tight through the middle overs. When Harry Brook and Tom Banton fell in quick succession, England were wobbling at 105/5 and in danger of wasting a promising start.

Jacks then flipped the script. Targeting anything in his arc, he smashed four sixes and three fours in a breathtaking counterattack. His 54-run stand off just 25 deliveries with Sam Curran (25 off 19) lifted England past the 200-mark — a total that ultimately proved just out of Italy’s reach.

Italy’s chase began in disarray. Jofra Archer’s raw pace rattled the top order as the score slipped to 22/3 inside four overs. Jamie Overton struck to deepen the trouble, and England appeared in firm control.

But Ben Manenti ignited belief with one of the innings of the tournament. The all-rounder blasted a 22-ball half-century, taking apart England’s attack with fearless strokeplay. A single over from Jacks that went for 21 runs — 4, 6, 6, 4 — swung momentum dramatically. Supported ably by Justin Mosca’s composed 43 off 34, Manenti added 92 runs in just 48 balls to haul Italy back into contention and silence the Kolkata crowd.

Even after Manenti departed for 60, Italy refused to fade. Stewart’s late assault — including five towering sixes — kept the equation alive and England under intense pressure. With the required rate climbing but still within sight, the upset felt possible deep into the final overs.

England’s experience, however, proved decisive. Curran returned to break the stand with two wickets in two deliveries, draining Italy’s surge at a critical moment. Overton’s tidy spell ensured there would be no late twist, bowling Italy out for 178 and securing England’s progression.

The margin of victory suggests control, but the contest told a different story. England advance with their power and depth intact — yet this hard-fought win also exposed vulnerabilities they will need to address as the tournament moves into its decisive phase.