Sam Curran said England will not “hide” from a “need to improve” following their recovery from 105-5 to beat huge underdogs Italy at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
Will Jacks hits an unbeaten 53 off 22 balls to rescue England, who won by 24 runs to reach the Super 8 stage in unconvincing style.
Ben Manenti registered 60 off 25 deliveries for Italy, while England’s Jofra Archer took both of his wickets in his first over and Jamie Overtun recorded 3-18 as the tournament debutants suffered elimination.
| England 202-70 (20 overs, won by 24 runs) | Italy 178 (20 overs) |
| Jacks 53* (22), Banton 30 (21); Kalugamage 2-41 | B Manenti 60 (25) Stewart 45 (23); Overton 3-18 |
England vs Italy analysis: Where did Harry Brook’s side struggle?
England posted 202-7 and were long in danger of sustaining one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament against opponents helped by 45 off 25 balls from Grant Stewart after Manenti was dismissed.
Italy finished on 178, with England’s spinners conceding 102 from nine over to take their average to 9.34 runs per over at the final. Only Oman, on 9.41, have a worse tally.
“I don’t think we bowled really well,” Curran told Sky Sports. “Teams we have played against have been of different intensity.
“There are a few nerves, but I don’t think we are nervous. Every time we have tried to push, we have lost wickets… I guess it’s a fine balance going too hard and losing wickets.
“We don’t hide from the fact that we have been not at our best. There’s a need to improve. We have to look at positives, too. We are a honest group and we will have honest conversations in the team.”
T20 World Cup: How Will Jacks saved England
England’s start included the loss of Jos Buttler for three, but Jacks’ innings included 50 in 21 deliveries from number seven.
“It feels like it has been a long time coming,” said Jacks. “It has taken a while, but it is nice to get that one. I feel I am settling into my role down the order.”
“[Ben Manenti] played unbelievably well and he was striking the ball better than us. I tried to change and go wide and thankfully got that wicket.
“If he batted for a few more overs, who knows what would have happened? The most important thing is that we have qualified.”
Why Italy are ‘proud’ despite World Cup defeat
Italy are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament but recovered from a 73-run defeat to Scotland to secure a first-ever finals win with a 10-wicket victory over Nepal in their second match.
“Will Jacks batted excellently and, when you take it deep with the power he has, anything can happen,” reflected captain Harry Manenti.
“It was some impressive hitting in he chase after we lost a few early. Ben [Manenti] put England under pressure and Grant Stewart did the same. If you get a partnership together, it can get you going.
“I was proud of Ben. He got an opportunity to show how good he is. Same with Grant. He’s a lower-order batter so to come out and show what he’s capable of made me proud, as captain.
“The associate nations have put pressure on the ‘big’ teams. We have no right against a team like England but it’s good for the game and a matter of getting games under our belts against class oppposition.”
England vs Italy teams
England: Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid.
Italy: Harry Manenti (c), Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Benjamin Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan.
What’s next for these teams? England, Italy T20 cricket World Cup fixtures
The World Cup Super 8s start on February 22, with England set to discover their opponents once the Group A and Group B standings are settled on Tuesday.
Italy can still make a statement to finish their campaign when they face in-form West Indies at Eden Gardens on Thursday (05:30 GMT).
England ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
England: Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed.
Italy ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
How to watch the T20 World Cup: TV channel, live online stream
The T20 World Cup is being shown exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports.
You can stream it on a vast variety of devices and on the move via the Sky Go app.
For coverage elsewhere in the world, click HERE for details of your local rights holder.
