New Delhi. As the Super-8 stage of T20 World Cup 2024 progresses, the picture of the semi-finals is becoming clear. Defending champions England and South Africa will face each other on Friday in Group-2 of the tournament. Both these teams have won one match each in the group. In the Super-8, England has defeated West Indies while South Africa has defeated America. Whoever wins the England vs South Africa match will strengthen their claim for the semi-finals.
England bounced back in champion style
The England team, which was in danger of being eliminated from the Super-8 just 4 days ago, has made a comeback in champion style. England has staked its claim for the semi-finals in form by defeating co-host West Indies on Thursday. Jos Buttler’s team defeated West Indies by 8 wickets in the Super-8. It won this match with 15 balls remaining.
England is now at the top of its group with 2 points (1.34 net run rate). South Africa also has 2 points, but it is behind England in run rate (0.90). In the same Group-2, West Indies and America have lost their matches. Group-1 has teams from India, Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh. The first match of Group-1 will be played between India and Afghanistan today, Thursday at 8 pm.
Semi-final equation
The equation for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup is almost the same as that of the Super-8. That is, the top-2 teams of each group will qualify for the next round (semi-finals). Every team has to play 3-3 matches in the group. The one who wins all three matches is guaranteed to play the semi-finals. A team can play the semi-finals even after winning two matches, but then there can be a problem with the net run rate. It can also happen that three teams in a group win two matches each. If this happens, the two teams with better run rates will play the semi-finals.
England batsman and African bowler…
England’s batsmen performed brilliantly against West Indies. Phil Salt scored 87 runs while Jonny Bairstow scored 48 runs. Captain Jos Buttler scored 25 runs. Overall, England’s batsmen are proving their form. In such a situation, England’s batsmen will have more responsibility in the match against South Africa. However, it will not be easy to face the speed of Kagiso Rabada, Lockie Ferguson and the spin of Keshav Maharaj.
England: Jos Buttler (captain), Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brooke, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Joffra Archer, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Enrique Norkia, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Gerald Coetzee, Tabrez Shamsi, Bjorn Fortuin, Otniel Bartman.
Tags: ICC T20 world cup, T20 World Cup
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 20, 2024, 14:42 IST