ICC T20 World Cup 2026: England vs Scotland | Match 23 | Group C | Kolkata | February 14 | Match Discussion

[Ball Blazer]

England face Scotland in Kolkata needing victory to avoid a costly slip in Group B, with Italy also looming as a potential threat. Scotland arrive after a 73-run win over Italy, while England have shown inconsistency despite winning four of their last five T20Is.

The teams have met only once in T20Is, a washed-out game in 2024, where Munsey and Jones shared an unbroken 90-run stand. With a batting-friendly Eden Gardens pitch and key milestones approaching for Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer, progression to the Super 8s remains in England’s control but far from guaranteed.

England: Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

Scotland: Richie Berrington, Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal, Zainullah Ihsan

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[Ball Blazer]

Salt tells England to stick 'chest out' as pressure mounts​

Opener Phil Salt called on England to play with their "chest out" in their crucial match against Scotland at the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

A narrow win against Nepal was followed by defeat by West Indies on Wednesday meaning Harry Brook's side must beat the Scots to keep their hopes of progressing to the Super 8s in their own hands.

Captain Brook said England's batters were "too careful" against the Windies - something also reflected in frank discussions in the dressing room afterwards.

"I think getting your chest out and putting the opposition on the back foot, that phrase is used a lot, but I think that's what we do when we're at our best," Salt told BBC Sport.

"When we're at our best, nobody can live with us.

"It's just about getting to that space more often than we have in the last two games."

England, still looking to correct their course after the winter's Ashes defeat. could still progress with defeat by Scotland but it would require a series of results to go their way.

The Scots are in a similar position, likely needing to win to hold onto hopes of progressing.

England have named an unchanged team, with Tom Banton keeping his place over spare batter Ben Duckett.

Banton, who has been out for two in both innings in the tournament so far, and Brook were both dismissed tamely chipping catches off West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie on Wednesday.

It came as England, who came into this World Cup having won 10 of their past 11 T20s, lost six wickets in succession against spin in the middle overs.

"I can't give insights into the mentalities of other guys, but sometimes it can creep in a little bit," said Salt, who thrashed 30 from 14 balls before the slide.

"The differences between playing in bilateral series and tournament play, they are two different things, but the main takeaways from that game were we did possibly bat a bit too tentatively."

The match will be played in Kolkata - the same day as Scotland host England in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations.

The rugby union trophy originated in the city, at Calcutta rugby club, formed of British expats who melted down silver rupees to create the silverware.

"It's obviously a pretty cool day for everyone," said Scotland bowler Brad Wheal.

"We just want to go out there and do our country proud.

"So it's a big day for Scottish sport and obviously a massive opportunity for both teams to get a big win going ahead."

Scotland have played both of their matches so far at this World Cup in Kolkata - a defeat by West Indies and a convincing win over Italy - which should give them an advantage.

They impressively reached 90-0 in 10 overs before rain intervened when the sides met at the last T20 World Cup in Barbados.

England travelled from Mumbai on Thursday and trained on Friday evening, though many of their players have experience of Eden Gardens from the Indian Premier League and past internationals.

Salt was an IPL winner with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and has scored five fifties in nine T20 innings on this ground.

"Usually it's ever so slightly on the slower side and it's a bit tennis ball bouncy," Salt said.

"I think very much it's been a new ball wicket from my days playing here and at the same time the power play is crucial.

"If you win the powerplay here you're in a great position."

T20 World Cup: Phil Salt calls on England to play with 'chest out' against Scotland

Opener Phil Salt calls on England to play with their "chest out" in their crucial match against Scotland at the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

www.bbc.com

 

[SpiritOf1903]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2022211146129060124

Scotland getting themselves some nice product endorsements!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

England have look so unconvincing in this tournament that an upset is possible.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England have look so unconvincing in this tournament that an upset is possible.

Their previous opponents had 2 spinners causing problems .

Airee and Lamicchhane for Nepal, Chase and an exceptional Motie for Windies .

Not sure Watt, Leask or Greaves can do that

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's better for England to have been given some rude awakenings.

At their best they're a match for anyone

 

[TeymurBlake]

A MUST win game for England but I am surprised with the line-up & selection they have gone with in this tournament. I would make some changes to the line-up & order.

1. Phil Salt
2. Will Jacks
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Ben Duckett
5. Harry Brook (C)
6. Jos Buttler (WK)
7. Sam Curran
8. Jamie Overton
9. Jofra Archer
10. Liam Dawson
11. Adil Rashid

England can’t try to facilitate Tom Banton, who has traditionally been an opener for Somerset in the middle order position, specially when you have Ben Duckett, Bethell & Harry Brook as options.

Will Jacks has also been traditionally an opener for Surrey & T20 leagues, put him there to reap the benefits of his experience for IPL.

Ben Duckett has a predominantly terrible Ashes, but that doesn’t take away from his abilities as a batter & specially player of spin. Remember seeing him against Pakistan in 2022 at No.4 & really butchering Pakistan spinners.

 

[sweep_shot]

England should win.