Reigning champions England kept their hopes alive in the T20 World Cup with a crucial 41-run victory against Namibia in Antigua on Saturday. Needing a win to stay in the tournament, England faced potential elimination as rain delayed the start by three hours.
The match, reduced from 11 to 10 overs per side due to another shower, saw England stumble to 13-2 after losing the toss. However, a 56-run partnership between Yorkshire’s Harry Brook (47 not out off 20 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (31) lifted England to a total of 122-5.
Namibia was set a target of 126 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method for rain-affected games. Namibia found it challenging to match England’s required run rate against bowlers Reece Topley (0-6 in two overs) and Jofra Archer (1-15), ending their innings at 84-3.
This victory tied England with Scotland in Group B standings, but with a better net run rate.
England defeated Namibia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match
However, England could still fail to reach the Super Eights if Scotland pulls off a remarkable upset against already-qualified Australia in the Group B finale in St. Lucia later on Saturday, or if that match ends in a no-result.
“There was a lot of anxiety, we didn’t think we’d get out there,” said Brook, the player of the match. “Thankfully the rain stopped.” England captain Buttler, bowled for a duck, and said: “It’s a big relief.
“It’s been a stressful day with the rain coming down, but I think we put in a really good performance.” He added: “I thought that was a really good score on that wicket. When I got out I thought 85-90 might be a good score.
Already-eliminated Namibia retired opener Nikolaas Davin at 18 to bring in big-hitter David Wiese at 44-1 after six overs.
However, despite the 39-year-old Wiese hitting two sixes and two fours in a 12-ball 27 and being dismissed in the last over of his final international match, Namibia fell significantly short of their target.
“It was a steep chase, but felt bowling first was the right way to go,” said Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.
“Wiese doesn’t want to open, next time we’d get him in earlier, but unfortunately it was his last game… Massive impact, in terms of the level of cricket he brought to our circle, he inspired us to new heights.”
Earlier, Ruben Trumpelmann dismissed Jos Buttler, one of the world’s top white-ball batsmen, for a duck with a sharp inswinger. Veteran all-rounder David Wiese then bowled a brilliant slower ball to catch Phil Salt behind. Rain stopped play with England at 82-3 after eight overs.
When play resumed, Harry Brook caused significant damage in an over from teenage pacer Jack Brassell, which conceded 19 runs. In the final over from Trumpelmann, who ended with figures of 2-31, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone hit three sixes between them.
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