England vs Italy Match Highlights & Results

All eyes on Colombo now - That is it from this thrilling game, where England once again had to battle hard to get the points and seal qualification for the Super 8s, knocking Italy and Scotland out of contention. The action now moves from India to Sri Lanka, where Sri Lanka and Australia face off in Colombo in a clash that will shape Group B. That game gets underway shortly, with the hosts electing to bowl first, so you can simply switch tabs and enjoy all our coverage. Cheers!

The victorious skipper of England - Harry Brook starts by saying that they haven't played their best cricket but at the end of the day, they have made it through and are happy with it. Adds that it has been a bit of a trend for them in this tournament to let things slip with the bat but it is all about taking the right options. Brook reckons that they fielded really well and applauds the likes of Sam Curran and Will Jacks, who have stepped up in tricky situations. On giving Jofra Archer the extra over up top, Brook mentions that Jofra was on a heater at the start of the game and felt that they needed to make the most out of that fire and hence he was given 3 overs at the top. Ends by saying that they haven't been brave enough with the bat thus far and will look to do better as they now head to Sri Lanka.

The captain of Italy - Harry Manenti says they knew England were always going to come hard, and while Italy's plan to take wickets at regular intervals worked for a while, Will Jacks taking the game deep on a good batting surface made the difference. He feels England were about 15 to 20 runs above par in the end, and that proved costly. Manenti highlights the fight shown in the chase, especially the counter-attack from Benjamin Manenti and Justin Mosca, along with Grant Stewart's late surge, saying it reflects the belief growing within the group. He adds that pushing a top side like England so close gives Italy real confidence, even if they are still learning how to handle the big moments. Looking ahead, he says the focus now turns to the game against West Indies, where Italy will play with freedom and keep trying to show they belong at this level.

Time to hear from the captains now...

England hold on at the death - England made a strong start with the ball as Jofra Archer took two in his first over and Jamie Overton struck early as well. They then went quiet through the middle, with Liam Dawson tidy but Adil Rashid taken on despite picking up a wicket. The turning point was Will Jacks dismissing Benjamin Manenti, after which Sam Curran's excellent death bowling and Overton's three wickets got England over the line, though they will know they were pushed hard.

England's late overdrive - Electing to bat first, England posted a big total, but they had to work hard for it after slipping to 105 for 5 despite plenty of starts. Will Jacks then provided the late surge, just as he did against Nepal, smashing a 21-ball fifty, his maiden T20I half-century and the fastest by an English batter in a T20 World Cup, to lift England past 200. For Italy, Grant Stewart and Crishan Kalugamage picked up two wickets each but were expensive, while JJ Smuts was the standout with a tidy spell and a wicket. However, a costly final five overs, which went for 78, allowed England to run away with the momentum and that ultimately proved to be the difference.

A counter-attack that nearly stunned England - Not many would have given Italy a chance after England posted 202, but this World Cup has shown time and again that any team can challenge anyone. Italy lost three quick wickets early, but they refused to go away, launching a stunning counter-attack through Benjamin Manenti's incredible hitting and Justin Mosca's composure as the pair added 92 off 48 balls to haul them back into the contest. Manenti's dismissal for a 25-ball 60 came at a bad time and stalled the momentum, but Grant Stewart reignited the chase with a fiery 45 off 23. In the end, though, the target proved just a little too much for Italy to overhaul.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Will Jacks wins the award for his unbeaten 53 off 22 and the all important wicket of Benjamin Manenti. He says that they had spoken about keeping their intent up and knew it was a fast scoring ground, so they didn't quite know what a defendable score here was. On scoring his maiden T20I fifty, he says he feels happy to have gotten the half-century today and says that it was a long time coming. Further adds that there have been a few role changes for him and he is now settling nicely into this finisher role. On Benjamin Manenti's wicket, Jacks mentions that Manenti played really well, better than the English batters and he just tried to bowl full and straight to him, hoping for him to mishit one, which did happen. Adds that they now move to Sri Lanka, different conditions and feels that they need to adapt quickly to the challenge.

Italy win hearts, England take points - England have survived another scare in this World Cup, just about getting over the line to confirm their place in the Super 8s, though not in the most convincing fashion. Credit must go to Italy, who produced a tremendous fight, forcing Harry Brook into a few uncomfortable moments along the way, but while the decisive moments did not fall their way, they can certainly hold their heads high.

Jamie Overton to Ali Hasan, OUT! b Jamie Overton.OUT! TIMBER! Jamie Overton finishes proceedings in style with the ball and England qualify for the Super 8 stage. Overton knows what's coming from Ali Hasan and goes full and straight. Hasan backs away, trying to drive but is beaten for a third ball in a row and this time, he hears the death rattle behind him as well. Overton ends with a double-wicket maiden and ENGLAND WIN BY 24 RUNS!

Jamie Overton to Ali Hasan, No run.Another play and a miss. Back of a length, angled into the batter, Ali Hasan makes a lot of room leg side but fails to lay a bat on it yet again.

Jamie Overton to Ali Hasan, No run.Short of a length and around off, Hasan backs away again and looks to go over point but is well beaten.

Jamie Overton to Ali Hasan, No run.Very full, angled into middle and leg, Ali Hasan backs away and digs it out into the off side. Another dot ball.

Ali Hasan is the last man in.

Jamie Overton to Jaspreet Singh, OUT! c Will Jacks b Jamie Overton.OUT! CAUGHT! England are now just one wicket away from the win. Jamie Overton serves it back of a length and over the stumps. Jaspreet Singh backs away to take it on but is undone by the extra bounce. Jaspreet ends up slashing it high up in the air towards the short cover region. Will Jacks comes in from the edge of the circle and goes down on one knee to take the catch.

Jamie Overton to Jaspreet Singh, No run.Banged in well short and outside off, moves away from the right-hander as well. Jaspreet Singh reaches out but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Jamie Overton (3-0-18-1) will bowl the last over. He has 24 runs to play with, and this should be England's game, unless a miracle happens.

Sam Curran to Crishan Kalugamage, No run.A dot to end a brilliant over from Sam Curran and Italy need 25 off the final over. Another yorker-length delivery, angling in from outside off. Crishan Kalugamage jams it out to extra cover and the batters don't go for the run.

A sigh of relief for England. Crishan Kalugamage comes out to the middle now.

Sam Curran to Grant Stewart, OUT! c Liam Dawson b Sam Curran.OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran is taking England to the Super 8, it seems and what a big wicket this is in the context of the game. Curran stays around the wicket and goes full and wide yet again, with pace-on. Grant Stewart hangs back and throws the hands at it but ends up slicing it off the outside edge. The ball goes quickly to the left of short third, where Liam Dawson moves across and takes a smart catch. Stewart's fighting knock of 45 off just 23 balls comes to an end.

Sam Curran to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.Curran is sticking to his plans and is doing a fine job, 25 needed now off 8 balls. Curran goes for the wide yorker again and nails it as well. Jaspreet Singh reaches out and jams it on the bouce to Adil Rashid at short third for a single.

Sam Curran to Jaspreet Singh, Wide!WIDE! Pace-on delivery, it is the attempted wide yorker but Curran pushes it beyond the tramline. The nerves are settling in for both sides now.

Sam Curran to Grant Stewart, 1 run.A slower bumper, banged in well short and wide outside off, Grant Stewart reaches for it and uppercuts it on the bounce to Jofra Archer at deep backward point. Archer doesn't even make an attempt at the catch and is happy to concede the single.

Sam Curran to Grant Stewart, No run.Excellent review! Sam Curran comes around the wicket and angles in a slower ball, bowling it on a good length. Grant Stewart walks across to slog it away but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Stewart, who is running to the bowler's end for the single, reviews it right away. UltraEdge shows a big spike when the ball is next to the inside edge. NOT OUT! However, it will be a dot ball as well.

Sam Curran to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.A low full toss, angling across off, Jaspreet Singh slices it away to sweeper cover for a single.

Sam Curran to Jaspreet Singh, Wide!WIDE! Pressure on the fielding side. Full and wide outside off, slower too but this one angles beyond the tramline.

With 21 runs from Adil Rashid's over, Italy are still not out of this game. Here is Sam Curran to bowl the all-important penultimate over.

Adil Rashid to Grant Stewart, Six!SIX! Wow, what hitting from Grant Stewart, 21 runs off the over and Italy are back in business. Tossed up, full and outside off, Grant Stewart manages to reach the ball and lifts it over long off for a biggie. 30 needed off 12 balls.

Adil Rashid to Grant Stewart, Six!SIX! That's whacked away for another maximum. Rashid drags the length too short and darts it into the batter. Grant Stewart goes very deep in the crease and moves past the leg stump before clobbering it over long on for a biggie.

Adil Rashid to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.Floated up, wide outside off, Jaspreet Singh fetches the ball and slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Adil Rashid to Jaspreet Singh, Six!SIX! Oh, Jaspreet Singh gets one out of screws as well. Flighted ball on the stumps, a bit too full. Singh sits down and swings across the line, heaving it over cow corner for a six.

Adil Rashid to Grant Stewart, 1 run.At the stumps, hit down the ground and Stewart takes the single.

Adil Rashid to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.Dragged length, angled into the batter. Singh advances and forces it down to long on for a single.

Will Harry Brook bring spin on? Yes, he will, as Adil Rashid (3-0-22-1) replaces Sam Curran.

Jofra Archer to Grant Stewart, Six!SIX! No matter how they come and Grant Stewart is keeping Italy in with an outside chance. Another bumper, directed at the batter. Stewart swings and gets a top edge that flies over fine leg for a six. 51 needed now off 18 balls.

Jofra Archer to Grant Stewart, No run.Dug in short over middle, Stewart backs away to play the upper cut but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Jofra Archer to Grant Stewart, No run.Ouch, that must have hurt! Full and angled into the batter. Grant Stewart looks to back away but gets cramped for room and gets an inside edge onto the left leg. A stinging blow but Stewart seems fine.

Jofra Archer to Grant Stewart, Six!SIX! Up and over, Stewart gets enough power on it. Very full, tailing back into middle and leg, Grant Stewart manages to stay back and lift it over wide long off for a six.

Jofra Archer to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.No run out as confirmed by the smart replay. Full and straight, jammed out to mid on for a quick single. The fielder fires in a direct hit at the bowler's end but Jaspreet Singh dives in to make his ground.

Jofra Archer to Jaspreet Singh, No run.Just back of a length, darts back into the batter. Jaspreet Singh is cut in half as he looks to play at it and the ball goes past the inside edge.

Sam Curran to Jaspreet Singh, 1 run.No hat-trick! Sam Curran had a hat-trick recently against Sri Lanka in the lead-up to this World Cup but he won't get one here. Back of a length and outside off, cut away uppishly but well past backward point for a single.

Who faces the hat-trick ball? It will be Jaspreet Singh.

Sam Curran to Gian-Piero Meade, OUT! c Jos Buttler b Sam Curran.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Not much of an appeal from Sam Curran but it doesn't matter as he is now on a hat-trick. Back to around the wicket, bowled on a good length and outside off, slower too. Gian-Piero Meade backs away to go over the off side but gets a faint edge through to the keeper. Jos Buttler pouches it and knows it straightaway and the umpire's finger also goes up.

Another one bites the dust. Gian-Piero Meade is the next man in.

Sam Curran to Marcus Campopiano, OUT! c Tom Banton b Sam Curran.OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran switches to over the wicket and serves a high full toss over middle and leg. Marcus Campopiano hangs back and looks to belt it but gets it high on the bat. The ball sails down to the left of long on, where Tom Banton slides across and takes a fine catch. The batter is hanging around in hope of getting a No Ball call. It is actually confirmed quite quickly by the umpires and the delivery is deemed as a fair one.

Sam Curran to Marcus Campopiano, No run.That's near perfect from Curran. Full and wide outside off, lands it just inside the tramline outside off. Campopiano is early to back away a bit and fails to reach it.

Sam Curran to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Very full and wide outside off, Stewart stays put and just reaches out, toe-ending it past the left side of the bowler and picks up a single.

Sam Curran to Marcus Campopiano, 1 run.Curran returns to the attack. Shorter in length, angled down leg from around the stumps. Campopiano pulls it off the hips and down to fine leg for a single.

Adil Rashid to Marcus Campopiano, 1 run.Looped up, shortish and outside off, Marcus Campopiano has to wait for it and slaps it to sweeper cover for one more.

Adil Rashid to Marcus Campopiano, No run.Slightly shorter and on off, Marcus Campopiano stabs it out to short cover.

Adil Rashid to Marcus Campopiano, No run.Slows it up, full and on middle and off, Marcus Campopiano goes down for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

How often do we see a wicket fall in the over right after the break? Quite often, to be honest and the Italians have lost another set batter. Marcus Campopiano walks out to bat now, at number 7.

Adil Rashid to Justin Mosca, OUT! c Tom Banton b Adil Rashid.OUT! TAKEN! Italy are just losing their way now. Adil Rashid bravely flights this up, full and on middle. Justin Mosca goes down on one knee to slog it down the ground but fails to get fully underneath it. He does not get the elevation and the ball flies straight down the throat of Tom Banton at long on, who makes no mistake. Both the set batters are gone now. 68 needed in 33 balls.

Adil Rashid to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Floated, short and outside off, Grant Stewart punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Adil Rashid to Grant Stewart, Six!SIX! Superb start after the break! Tossed up, full and around off. Grant Stewart extends his arms to reach out for it and launches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for half a dozen more.

DRINKS! Just 6 overs left now and Italy are still hanging in the game. With 75 needed off 36 balls, England will feel they are ahead in the game but we have seen what one good stand can do. England need a couple of more wickets to really break the back of this chase. Italy will rely on Justin Mosca to anchor the innings and hope that the likes of Grant Stewart and those to follow can get the big hits away. Also, Adil Rashid (2-0-14-0) is back on as England look to put the squeeze on.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Pitched up and on middle, Grant Stewart heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one. Just 6 runs off the over.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, No run.Hits the length hard and on middle and off. Grant Stewart stays leg side to cut it away but misses again. Pressure is building now.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, Wide!WIDE! Slower delivery, full and outside off, very close to the tramline. Grant Stewart backs away and is nowhere near to play at that. The umpire calls it a wide.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, No run.The dots are creeping in now! This is another good bouncer, on leg, Grant Stewart tries to make room and upper cut it but fails to lay a bat on that one.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, No run.Lands this on a good length and around off, takes pace off, Grant Stewart tries to punch it away but fails to connect.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, Four!FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Jamie Overton sees the batter back away and serves this full, angling into leg, following the batter. Grant Stewart throws his hands at it and gets an otuside edge that flies past the keeper for a boundary.

Jamie Overton to Grant Stewart, No run.Jamie Overton bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle and off. Grant Stewart gets hurried and tries to pull but takes his eyes off the ball and misses.

Liam Dawson to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Another short delivery, on middle, Grant Stewart swats it to long on for one.

Liam Dawson to Grant Stewart, No run.Quicker and shorter again, on off, Grant Stewart stabs it out to short cover. A rare dot ball.

Liam Dawson to Grant Stewart, Four!FOUR! Short and punished! Liam Dawson drags his length back and outside off. Grant Stewart cashes in on the width and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Flatter, full and on off, Justin Mosca drives it to long off for another run.

Liam Dawson to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Floated, full and on off, Grant Stewart drills it to long off for a run.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Short and on middle, Justin Mosca pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Just about to mention that this is turning into a serious run chase by Italy, and they lose their star batter at the wrong moment. Still, the platform has been laid and Justin Mosca is out there, batting on 41. With that said, Grant Stewart walks out to bat now.

Will Jacks to Benjamin Manenti, OUT! c Tom Banton b Will Jacks.OUT! CAUGHT! Will Jacks has the last laugh and the Benjamin Manenti show is over here at the Gardens. This is slower through the air, full and outside off. Benjamin Manenti goes down and tries to drag it down the ground but this time gets no power on the shot as he hits it from the toe-end of the bat. It flies towards long on, where Tom Banton runs forward to take a fine catch just above the ground. Manenti walks back for a fantastic 60 off 25 and gets a rousing applause from the dugout and the crowd.

Will Jacks to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! There is no stopping that! Short and outside off, Benjamin Manenti uses the width on offer and crunches his cut through point for a blazing boundary.

Will Jacks to Benjamin Manenti, Six!SIX! Oh..wow! Will Jacks bowls this quicker, full but on the pads. Benjamin Manenti just picks it off his pads and whips it away nonchalantly over the deep backward square leg fence for half a dozen more.

Will Jacks to Benjamin Manenti, Six!SIX! FIFTY FOR MANENTI! This has been an incredible knock, and he has got to it in just 22 balls, almost matching Will Jacks, who got it in 21 balls for England earlier on. Floated, full and around middle. Benjamin Manenti gets down on one knee and dispatches it over the wide long on fence for a biggie, to get to his second half-century in this World Cup.

Will Jacks to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! Lucky! Tossed up, full and around off, Benjamin Manenti goes down for the big slog sweep but gets an underedge. It rolls through Buttler's legs and races to the fence behind for a boundary.

Will Jacks to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Flighted, short and on middle, Justin Mosca backs away and steers it to backward point for a single.

Liam Dawson to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Pushed through quicker, shortish and outside off, Benjamin Manenti tries to reach out but only manages to chop it onto the pitch.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Short again and outside of, Justin Mosca cuts it away to deep point for one.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, Four!FOUR! Finds the gap! Dragged back and on middle, Justin Mosca rocks back and heaves it away towards deep mid-wicket. Phil Salt is standing well ahead of the ropes to cut off the double, and the ball sails over his head for a one-bounce four.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, 2 runs.A full toss, on middle, Justin Mosca swipes it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Liam Dawson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Flatter, full and angling into leg, Benjamin Manenti cannot get under it and drills it to long on for a single.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, Leg bye.Floated, full and around leg, Justin Mosca goes down for the sweep but misses as the ball goes off his pads to the left of short fine. A leg bye taken.

Liam Dawson replaces Sam Curran.

Adil Rashid to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Flat and full, on off, jammed down to long off for a single. 119 needed now off 60 balls.

Adil Rashid to Justin Mosca, 2 runs.Aerial but safe. Flighted delivery on the stumps, Justin Mosca goes on one knee and gets a top edge on the slog sweep. Jacob Bethell from deep mid-wicket runs to his left but the ball lands well short and the batters pick up two runs.

Adil Rashid to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Flatter one, pushed outside off, eased away through covers for a single.

Adil Rashid to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Oh, that's brave but smart bowling from Rashid. Adil Rashid loops this leg break well above the eyeline of the batter and lands it full on off. Benjamin Manenti sits down to play the slog sweep but misses and Jos Buttler fumbles the ball behind the stumps. UltraEdge later show that there was an underedge from Manenti and that will go down as a dropped catch from Buttler.

Adil Rashid to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Fuller length around off, Mosca goes for the slog-sweep but mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Adil Rashid to Justin Mosca, No run.Tossed up around leg, Justin Mosca goes on one knee to play the slog sweep but wears it on the pads instead.

Sam Curran to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Slower one, a bit of a floater and pushed wide of the off stump. Benjamin Manenti goes after it and gets an inside edge back down to the keeper.

Sam Curran to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Short of a length and over the stumps, Manenti looks to pull but misses.

Sam Curran to Benjamin Manenti, Six!SIX! Oh, what a shot from Benjamin Manenti! Another slower one, a bit full and on the pads. Manenti uses his wrists and whips it off the pads and the ball travels flat and over the leaping fielder at deep backward square leg for another biggie.

Sam Curran to Benjamin Manenti, Six!SIX! Solid hit from Benjamin Manenti and that brings up the 50-run stand between these two. Slower ball, back of a length and over middle. Manenti keeps his shape and just lifts it back over the bowler's head and the ball carries all the way over the ropes at long off.

Sam Curran to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Oh, an overthrow and the batters do get a single. Back of a length and around off, Mosca taps it wide of backward point. Benjamin Manenti at the other end wants a single and sets off but has to turn back. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but fires it wide and the batters manage to pinch a run.

Sam Curran to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Curran begins with a full-pitched delivery on off and middle. Manenti stays deep in the crease and drives it down to long on for a single.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, No run.Similar delivery to the last one, darted across off. Mosca waits back and dabs it down to short third for another dot ball. 138 more needed off 72 balls.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, No run.Fullish length, sliding it across off, Mosca hangs back and tries to run it fine but misses.

Liam Dawson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Oh, that's great fielding in the deep as Benjamin Manenti had absolutely laced it. Dragged length wide outside off, sits up a bit. Manenti powers it flat and wide of sweeper cover where Jacob Bethell lunges to his right and makes a fine stop. Only a single.

Liam Dawson to Justin Mosca, 1 run.Shortish length, turning into the batter, Mosca rocks back and swings it to deep square leg for one more.

Liam Dawson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Quicker and slightly short again, outside off, cut away behind point for a single.