England are set to lock horns with the United States of America in match 49 of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, June 23. England find themselves on the edge after their hara-kiri against South Africa, losing from a definite driver’s seat with 25 needed off 18 deliveries with 6 wickets in hand at one point of time. The defending champions are now in a situation where a simple win against the USA may not get them through to the semis.
A win for England and for South Africa (over West Indies) will be enough for the former to qualify. But in case South Africa lose, NRR will come into the picture. However, with the difference in NRRs between the English and the Proteas being around 0.2, barring any Super-Over finishes and ultra close contests, an England win and a South Africa loss should be enough for the former to go through.
ENG vs USA Previous Performances
Defending champions England (ENG) square off against co-hosts United States of America (USA) in the 49th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, on Sunday, June 23.
Jos Buttler & Co began their Super Eight campaign on a high note as they thrashed West Indies in their backyard while chasing a target of 181 runs. But the former champions could not replicate the same performance against Aiden Markram’s South Africa as they suffered a seven-run defeat. After being asked to bat first the Proteas posted a total of 163/6. In reply, the Three Lions were on the right track to chase down the total but lost s few wickets in the middle and eventually lost the game.
Meanwhile, the debutants, following an outstanding performance in the group stage, the debutants have been unable to regain their winning ways since the start of the Super Eight round. In their first match against South Africa, Aaron Jones & Co. failed to chase down the score and lost by 18 runs. In their previous game against the West Indies, the team was bundled out for a mere 128, which the former champions easily chased down with nine wickets to spare.
England would dearly need Jos Buttler to step up to the plate. Buttler has endured an underwhelming World Cup by his standards, with a highest of 42 in 5 innings. It becomes even more imperative for Buttler to fire if England are put into bat given an early morning start and how menacing USA spearhead Saurabh Netravalkar becomes in those conditions.
Mark Wood would look to unsettle the USA batters with his fiery pace, something which they won’t be used to at the associate level. The Barbados track might be on the slower side but Wood has shown the ability to take the pitch out of the equation with his fast and full approach in the past.
Steven Taylor’s lean patch with the bat hasn’t augured well for USA in the World Cup. He dazzled with a 14-ball 24 against South Africa but fell for 2 in the game against the Windies. Nitish Kumar’s promotion to number 3 hasn’t yielded desired results either. USA will need to sort out their issues at the top of the order to surprise yet another Test nation before they bow out from a historic World Cup run.
ENG vs USA Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between England and USA with full international status in any format. There have been no prior international encounters between England and the USA, making their upcoming Super Eight clash the inaugural meeting between these two sides.
ENG vs USA Pitch Report
The pitch at Kensington Oval is expected to remain batter-friendly, potentially leading to an above-average total. Barbados has emerged as one of the most balanced playing surfaces in the ongoing event, offering both batters and bowlers opportunities. This has resulted in closely contested matches between bat and ball. The team that wins the toss will look to field first.
If Shai Hope’s ballistic 82 off 39 deliveries on Friday night is of evidence, the Barbados track should be a belter for the USA and England game. However, the first couple of overs may see the ball nibble around a bit. Expect a high scoring encounter if USA hold their own with the bat.
Kensington Oval is one of only two venues at this World Cup to have seen a 200-plus score, but generally, the pitches have been on the tacky side. The forecast for Sunday has improved although there is still a chance of rainfall interrupting proceedings.
ENG vs USA Big picture – Can USA upset calculations
If this is the end of the road for USA’s memorable T20 World Cup 2024 journey – they could still squeak into the semi-finals, but the odds are very much against them – then what a stage on which to bow out, facing up to the defending champions with one last chance to cause an upset.
England and USA have met at both football and rugby World Cups but this will be their first cricketing encounter of the modern age. Jos Buttler’s side have endured a choppy campaign so far, winning three and losing two to go with a no result in their opening match at Kensington Oval. But they return to Barbados knowing that a convincing performance will go a long way to ensuring their title defence continues into the knockouts.
Victory will put them on four points, and a margin of more than ten runs (batting first) will ensure their net run-rate goes above that of South Africa, who then take on West Indies in the final Group 2 game later on Sunday.
England’s cushion comes from their convincing win over the other co-hosts West Indies at the start of the Super Eight, and Buttler remained upbeat after his side lost a close game to South Africa in St Lucia. England have rarely been at their best over the last three weeks in the Caribbean but there have been signs that their game is coming together at the right time for a tilt at becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup trophy.
Before they get that far, they must avoid a mishap against a USA side that burned brightly at the start of the tournament but has looked to be running low on gas after three defeats in a row against Full Member oppositions. Their success has already put the names of Aaron Jones, Monank Patel and Saurabh Netravalkar in lights. If they can summon one final effort and become the latest former colony to put one over on the mother country, it will add another sprinkle of Hollywood stardust to cricket’s American adventure.
ENG vs USA In the spotlight – Aaron Jones and Liam Livingstone
Aaron Jones‘ six over midwicket to seal a rousing opening-night win over Canada was the shot that was heard around the World Cup. He followed up a career-defining 94 not out by helping secure the tie that eventually led to USA’s Super Over victory over Pakistan, but has found the going tougher since then, with scores of 11, 0 and 11.
Taking on the captaincy, in the absence of the injured Monank, has added to his burden. But he has another chance to impress at a ground where he played in four first-class matches for Barbados during his time in West Indies’ domestic system.
An innings of 33 off 17 balls in a losing cause might not sound much, but could it turn out to be the spark Liam Livingstone needed? Livingstone’s attempt to get England over the line against South Africa, helping to revive their chase while adding 78 for the fifth wicket alongside Harry Brook, was only the second time he has scored more than 30 in 22 T20 innings this year.
His power when taking down Ottniel Baartman at the death was a reminder of what he can do, and suggested that he may be ready to repay England’s faith that he remains the answer in the finisher role.
ENG vs USA Vital Stats that matters
- This will be the first meeting between England and USA with full international status in any format
- England have played 13 completed T20Is in Bridgetown, winning six (including the 2010 T20 World Cup final) and losing seven
- Sam Curran needs one more wicket to reach 50 in T20Is
ENG vs USA Probable Playing XIs
England
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (C & WK), Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Chris Jordan.
United States of America
Steven Taylor, Andries Gous (WK), Nitish Kumar, Aaron Jones (C), Corey Anderson, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.
ENG vs USA Fantasy XI : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (C & WK), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Andries Gous (WK), Nitish Kumar, Aaron Jones (C), Saurabh Netravalkar, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone
ENG vs USA Probable Best Performers of the match
Probable Best Batter:
Phil Salt has been in brilliant form since the start of the World Cup. He is the leading run-getter for his side in this tournament with 158 runs after six matches. In the first Super Eight game, he scored an unbeaten 47-ball 87 against West Indies before following it up with an 8-ball 11 versus South Africa. Salt’s role as an opener is going to be very crucial against the co-hosts USA.
Probable Best Bowler:
Jofra Archer has bowled with pace and bagged nine wickets in six games at an average of 15.66. He is the highest wicket-taker for his side in the tournament thus far. In the previous game against South Africa, the pacer picked three wickets in a losing cause. His four overs will be key against the USA batters.
ENG vs USA Match Prediction
Scenario 1
England win the toss and opt to field first
Powerplay Score: 40-50
USA: 150-160
England win the match
Scenario 2
USA win the toss and opt to field first.
Powerplay Score: 50-60
England: 160-170
England win the match