Harry Brook says England’s pursuit of a flawless T20 World Cup efficiency makes for an thrilling prospect.
Sunday’s 51‑run victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka has left England on the cusp of the semi-finals, high of their group with Pakistan and New Zealand each on some extent every after their recreation was rained off.
Beat both Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday or New Zealand in Colombo on Friday – each reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket – and England will progress, all whereas the search for a whole efficiency within the match continues.
“We nonetheless have not had that excellent recreation,” England captain Brook mentioned. “With the bat, we’ve not managed to get the begins and the massive scores we would like. However I feel that is fairly an thrilling prospect.
“I see that as one thing coming very quickly, and with the likes of Jos Buttler not coming off, Jacob Bethell, myself, Tom Banton not getting huge scores, and us nonetheless managing to recover from the road and get the job carried out, it is superior.
“Hopefully these rewards will come a little bit bit later down the road.”
Will Jacks was one in every of solely two England gamers to cross 20 as England as soon as once more underwhelmed with the bat in opposition to Sri Lanka, amassing what appeared a sub-par 146 for 9, largely due to Phil Salt’s 62 from 40 balls.
Having made 21 off 14 deliveries, Jacks opened the bowling for simply the third time in his England profession and the primary since being clubbed for 22 in an over in opposition to Australia on the 2024 match within the Caribbean.
However he bowled a four-over spell, claiming 3-22 as Sri Lanka lurched to 34-5 on a cheesy pitch earlier than England skittled their opponents for 95.
Jacks has been England’s standout performer within the match, together with his lower-order contributions in opposition to Nepal and Italy proving instrumental, and Brook is delighted with how the all-rounder is performing.
“He’s a really aggressive lad,” Brook mentioned. “He was aggravated when he bought out. After his first over he mentioned, ‘I at all times bowl higher after I’m aggravated.’ That was one of many causes I stored him on.
“He’s that excellent participant. He’s the jack of all trades who can do the whole lot. He’s superior within the subject and with the bat and, like we noticed right here, excellent with the ball. He began us off fantastically.”
Having scraped via the primary group stage in India, Brook needed his aspect to show over a brand new leaf in Sri Lanka, whom they not too long ago defeated 3-0 in a T20 warm-up sequence at this venue.
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Michael Atherton says Jos Buttler should discover kind rapidly in a vital opening partnership for England
However a twelfth consecutive T20 win over the match co-hosts was additionally impressed by Salt propping up England after extra top-order woes, together with from Buttler, who made a tortured seven off 14 balls for his third successive single-figure rating.
“That 60 has gained us the sport, actually,” Brook mentioned of Salt. “He wasn’t as harmful and fluent as he may be, however he is performed the state of affairs completely there.
“We knew that we have been just below par. However the bowling was simply phenomenal. We have had plenty of expertise right here, enjoying three video games in opposition to Sri Lanka, and the principle message was the assumption.
“The opposite message was to exit and battle, and battle we did.”
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Jofra Archer says England are getting there and each recreation is best than the final after a Tremendous 8s victory over Sri Lanka
Jofra Archer, who dismissed Pathum Nissanka to spark Sri Lanka’s collapse, echoed his captain’s sentiment on Salt’s influence, and England’s improvement via the match.
“Each recreation is best than the final, and we’ll get there. It is not a dash,” he mentioned.
“I am impressed with all of the batters. That is not a task that Phil’s often doing. The previous Phil Salt would have most likely gotten out at 30 – very pleased with him.
“The opposite lads did not get the runs they wanted, however we spoke about how we needed to get out. We have been a bit tentative in India. It did not come off right this moment, however no less than the blokes are attempting.”
England’s T20 World Cup Tremendous 8s outcomes and fixtures
All instances UK and Eire; all video games reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket
Watch each recreation from the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket, together with the competitors last on Sunday March 8. Get Sky Sports activities or stream contract-free with NOW.
