Banton anchors England’s solid win over Scotland

By Alam Zeb Safi
KOLKATA: Tom Banton struck an unbeaten 63 to guide England to a five-wicket victory over Scotland in their Group C clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Chasing 153 under lights at the Eden Gardens, England recovered from an early wobble to reach 155 for five in 18.2 overs, sealing the win with 10 balls to spare and claiming two valuable points.
Put in to bat, Scotland were bowled out for 152 in 19.4 overs despite a fighting 49 from captain Richie Berrington and a late unbeaten 20 from Oliver Davidson.
England’s pace spearhead Jofra Archer set the tone with figures of two for 24, removing George Munsey and Brandon McMullen inside the powerplay. Scotland slipped to 42 for three in the first six overs before Berrington and Tom Bruce mounted a counterattack.
The pair added 71 runs for the fourth wicket, lifting Scotland past 100 in the 12th over. Berrington struck five fours and two sixes in his 32-ball knock, but his dismissal to leg-spinner Adil Rashid triggered a collapse.
Rashid claimed three wickets, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson took two as Scotland lost six wickets for 39 runs. Davidson’s brisk cameo helped them edge past 150, but the total appeared slightly below par on a good batting surface.
England’s reply began shakily. Phil Salt fell for two in the opening over and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler followed soon after as Scotland’s seamers made early inroads.
Banton, however, steadied the innings. Sharing a 66-run stand with Jacob Bethell (32), he absorbed pressure before accelerating. Banton brought up his half-century off 33 balls and struck four fours and three sixes in a composed 41-ball knock.
After Bethell and captain Harry Brook departed in quick succession, Scotland sensed an opening at 86 for four. But Banton found support from Sam Curran, who made 28 off 20 balls, to put England back in control with a fifth-wicket partnership of 46.
Curran’s dismissal in the 17th over briefly delayed the inevitable, but Banton remained calm at the crease and, alongside Will Jacks, saw England home in the 19th over.
Scotland’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Brandon McMullen, Brad Currie, Brad Wheal, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson claiming one apiece, but they lacked the penetration to defend a modest target.
The victory keeps England firmly in the hunt for a semi-final spot in Group C, while Scotland will rue their middle-order collapse after promising foundations with the bat.

Summarised Scores

Scotland 152 all out (19.4 overs)
Richie Berrington 49 (32), Michael Jones 33 (20), Oliver Davidson 20* (15);
Adil Rashid 3-36, Jofra Archer 2-24, Liam Dawson 2-34.

England 155/5 (18.2 overs)
Tom Banton 63* (41), Jacob Bethell 32 (28), Sam Curran 28 (20);
Brandon McMullen 1-23, Brad Currie 1-21, Brad Wheal 1-23.

England won by 5 wickets (with 10 balls remaining).