LONDON, England, CMC – England eliminated defending champions India with a three- run victory in their ICC World Twenty20 Championship Super Eight yesterday to set up a showdown with West Indies today.
England stoutly defended their total of 153 for seven and restricted the Indians to 150 for five off their 20 overs to clinch a narrow win in the Group E match at Lord’s to keep alive heir semi-final hopes.
The result placed England level on points with West Indies and ensures South Africa of a semi-final spot.
The winner of the England/West Indies clash at The Oval today will advance to the semi-final.
In England’s score, Kevin Pietersen (46), Ravi Bopara (37), and Dimitri Mascarenhas (25 not out) led the batting against Harbhajan Singh (3-30) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-26).
Pietersen lashed his 47 off just 27 balls and shared in a 71-run stand for the second wicket with Bopara.
Yusuf Pathan (33 not out), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (30 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (26) were the chief scorers in Indian’s failed run chase while man of the match Ryan Sidebottom (2-31) and Graeme Swann (2-28) shared four wickets.
England’s bowling was disciplined and their out-cricket diligent as they pulled off the important win that ended the hopes of India repeating as champions.
