Barbados, News Agency: England entered the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a resounding victory over the USA in their final match of the Super-8s. Before this match, England's net run rate was 0.412 and West Indies and South Africa were ahead of them. Now England also earned 4 points and confirmed their place in the semi-finals on the strength of net run rate (1.992). Tomorrow's match between South Africa and West Indies will be important. Although Africa are second with 4 points, the hosts Windies can improve their net run rate with two wins and advance to the semi-finals.
England bowled out America for 115 runs. Adil Rashid played a good spin. Chris Jordan took a hat trick. American openers Steven Taylor (12) and Andries Gauss (8) were dismissed by the England bowlers for 43 runs. Nitish Kumar (30) and skipper Aaron Jones (10) were bowled by Adil Rashid. Rashid bowled an amazing spell of 4-0-13-2. Harmeet Singh (21) supported Corey Anderson (29) with a good knock. Chris Jordan took a hat-trick in the 19th over to send the entire American team into the tent for 115 runs. Jordan bowled a spell of 2.5-0-10-4. Sam Curran took two wickets. America lost 5 wickets in 6 balls.
In reply, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt made it clear that they were intent on improving the net run rate drastically by hitting 60 runs in the first 6 overs. Buttler also completed a half-century while batting aggressively and took England to 103 runs in 8.5 overs. England could have beaten the target in 18.4 overs to seal their ticket to the semi-finals and they batted with the same determination. Buttler hit 5 consecutive sixes in the 8th over. England secured victory by scoring 117 runs in 9.4 overs. Jos Buttler scored an unbeaten 83 off 38 balls with 6 fours and 7 sixes, while Phil Salt remained unbeaten on 25 off 21 balls.
