England beat the weather and Namibia at the T20 World Cup and are now sweating on the result of Scotland vs Australia to find out whether they reach the Super 8s.
The defending champions are up to second in Group B, ahead of Scotland on net run-rate, after a comfortable 41-run triumph on DLS in a game reduced to 10-overs a side by rain, one in which Harry Brook (47no off 20) top-scored.
England will now advance if already-qualified table-toppers Australia win in St Lucia in the early hours of Sunday.
However, a Scotland victory or a washout will see the associate nation through at England’s expense and condemn Jos Buttler’s team to a second first-round exit in as many World Cups, after their dismal 50-over title defence last autumn.
England have fought back excellently at the T20 World Cup since an opening rain-off against Scotland in Barbados was followed by a 36-run loss to Australia at the same venue four days later.
They rolled Oman for 47 in Antigua before sprinting to victory in 19 balls to take their net-run rate above Scotland’s and were ruthless against Namibia at North Sound once the wet weather that delayed the game by three hours, soaked the Sky pundits, and threatened an abandonment – a result that would have eliminated England – cleared.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England made a nervy start in Antigua with Jos Buttler and Phil Salt out cheaply, before the middle order fired
Brook leads England charge with the bat
Buttler (0) and Phil Salt (11) fell early as England slipped to 13-2 but Brook and Jonny Bairstow (31 off 18) clubbed 56 from 30 balls in partnership before Moeen Ali (16 off six) and Liam Livingstone (13no off four) chipped in with enterprising cameos.
Livingstone nailed his first two deliveries for six in Ruben Trumpelmann’s final over, including a one-handed effort over deep backward square.
Namibia, whose target was adjusted to 126 with the match originally 11-overs-a-side before a second short rain delay trimmed an over off, could make only 84-3 in reply, although David Wiese (27 off 12) had fun, cracking Adil Rashid (0-29) for back-to-back sixes, in what is set to be his final appearance for his country.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
David Wiese was clapped off by his team-mates after being dismissed in what might be his final appearance for his country
Wiese had earlier impressed with the ball, recording figures of 1-6 from two overs at the start of England’s knock and having Salt caught behind off a knuckleball, while Trumpelmann (2-31) bowled Buttler with a vicious in-swinger.
England’s middle order fired, though, and their bowlers then proved tough to get away, save for Rashid’s over Wiese tonked for 20, with Jofra Archer taking 1-15, Chris Jordan 1-19, Reece Topley 0-6 and Sam Curran 0-13.
All eyes on St Lucia as Australia play Scotland
Whoever progresses out of England and Scotland will join co-hosts West Indies and USA plus South Africa in Group 2 of the Super 8s.
Australia will compete in Group 1, alongside India, Afghanistan and one of Bangladesh or Netherlands.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Buttler says England have done what they can do after their win over Namibia
New Zealand and Pakistan are the highest-profile casualties so far, with England now hoping to avoid the same fate as they keep their fingers crossed for an Australia victory over Scotland in Gros Islet.
After Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood had teased manipulating the result to knock England out if the chance arose, team-mate Pat Cummins insisted those comments were tongue in cheek and that the side would never consider such a thing, saying it was “probably against the spirit of cricket.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Ian Ward believes Josh Hazlewood’s suggestion it would be in Australia’s ‘best interest’ to knock England out was tongue in cheek
England quick Mark Wood is certain Australia will give their all, saying: “I’m absolutely confident they’ll play the game their hardest, that’s the Australian way. They’ll play hard and fair and try to get the win.”
Watch Australia vs Scotland live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 1am on Sunday (1.30am first ball).
Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from football, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league and more.