DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Imperious England cantered to their third straight win while South Africa clinched their second, to leave embattled West Indies under pressure in Group 1 of the Twenty20 World Cup here yesterday.
Barbados-born fast bowling all-rounder, Chris Jordan, claimed Man-of-the-Match honours for his three-wicket haul as England restricted the previously unbeaten Australians to a meagre 125 off their 20 overs and then stormed to victory here with a whopping 50 deliveries remaining.
In the preceding game in Sharjah, South Africa followed up their victory over West Indies with a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka, to continue their resurgence following an opening defeat to Australia last weekend.
England top the group on six points, South Africa lie second on four while Australia also have four points but are third based on net run rate.
Sri Lanka, like West Indies, have two points but are one spot ahead of their Caribbean counterparts courtesy of net run rate while Bangladesh have been already eliminated after losing all three games.
Sent in, Australia got 44 off 45 balls from captain Aaron Finch before becoming the second of Jordan’s wickets, the right-armer ending with three for 17 from four splendid overs while seamers Chris Woakes (2-23) and Tyman Mills (2-45) nabbed two wickets apiece.
Opener Jos Buttler then slammed a 32-ball unbeaten 71, striking five fours and five sixes, as England dominated the run chase.
He put on 66 for the first wicket with Jason Roy (22), 31 for the second wicket with Dawid Malan (8) and a further 29 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Jonny Bairstow (16 not out).
“It was obviously a great bowling effort from the boys again. We were just trying to back up what we’ve done in the first couple of games and again, the way Woakesy and Rash (Adil Rashid) set the tone, allowed us to just come in and just continue that momentum,” Jordan said.
“I’m just trying to keep it as simple as possible, try and go with the rhythm of the game, try to assess the pitch and see what can work on the day. Today we tried to hold that length as much as possible and be nice and straight and obviously it paid off today.
“You just stick to your strengths as much as possible and keep improving them whilst trying to add a little bit to your game as well.”
In the earlier contest, opener Pathum Nissanka slammed 72 off 58 balls with half-dozen fours and three sixes as Sri Lanka rallied to 142 all out off their 20 overs after being sent in, left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and fast bowler Dwain Pretorius each claiming three for 17.
Captain Temba Bavuma then struck a run-a-ball 46 as the Proteas overhauled their target with four balls remaining.
West Indies, reigning champions following their 2016 conquest, lost their opening two games to England and South Africa, to leave their title defence in tatters, and now need to win their remaining two games against Sri Lanka and Australia to have any chance of reaching the final four.
They edged Bangladesh by three runs to register their first win on Tuesday.
