England vs Scotland, 23rd Match, Group C, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

England back to winning ways. This group is coming on nicely. West Indies and England ahead at this stage but the other teams still have a chance. The toss has just happened in the big game between England and New Zealand. Cross over to that one. We are ending things here. See you there. Bye bye.

Harry Brook | England captain: "Yeah, definitely and I'm just glad that we got over the line tonight, yeah. (confident at the halfway mark?) Yeah, absolutely. We were over the moon with that. They batted really well against our spinners again in that first couple of spells and yeah, they were getting ahead of us at one point, but then we managed to drag it back really well. (on Archer) Yeah, he was slamming a length beautifully today. He got his lines and lengths perfect and bowling gas again and with good skills. So it's nice to see him back on the park and doing really well. (on Banton) Yeah, he was awesome and that's why he's coming, slid in really nicely at that number four role and looked to take down the spinners like he did today and it came off and he deserves all of that and he's played really nicely. (concerned when the two early wickets fell?) Yeah, I've always got confidence there. We knew there was going to be a decent wicket, it wasn't really going to change. And then with this outfield as well, we knew that we didn't really need to take too many unnecessary risks and just hit the gaps. And then when you get the ball to hit for six, try hit it for six. But the Bants played it beautifully, beautifully well there and Sam's little cameo as well was awesome. (on Italy next) Yeah, we haven't quite had that perfect game yet. They've all been a little bit niggly so far and hopefully we can have an easier game against Italy and play our best cricket that everybody knows and loves. And we can put some smiles on some faces back home and get through the stages. (why haven't you quite find your best form?) Yeah, I'm not quite sure, to be honest. We just haven't quite hit our strengths so far. And hopefully that comes and we don't want to hit it too early, but obviously we want to get through the group stages and then, yeah, hopefully against Italy that can be the start of the rise."

Richie Berrington | Scotland captain: "Yeah, absolutely I thought it was a really good surface to bat on out there. Probably the difference for me in that game was just that partnership through the middle, I thought we fought back really well after losing those early wickets, myself and Brucie. Probably just needed one of us to go on a little bit longer into that innings so we could get that extra 20-30 runs. (5 wickets to spin, was that disappointing?) Yeah, I think we still knew spin was going to be key through that middle phase today. Obviously, they have got some world-class spinners, England. But yeah, obviously our execution was slightly off today, but we still know we've got the players who can play that phase of the game really well. Unfortunately, we just didn't quite click in that phase today. (should you have played straight down the ground more?) Yeah, look that's something we'll probably reflect on, just being real clear on our best options, especially as we move on now to Mumbai and different conditions. But as I say, I think having that partnership through the middle was really good. It just wasn't quite long enough. (early wickets, did you sense nerves from England?) Yeah, look, I think although we were a few runs short with the bat, we still had that belief that if we went out there and executed our best skills, we could put them under pressure. And I think we showed that. Probably why this one actually hurts quite a lot. It probably just reinforces that message for us that if we keep executing our best skills, we can put anyone under pressure. (on Watt) Yeah, look, that can happen. You know, some days it's not yours, but you've still got that experience and that backing that I know he can come back in big moments. And I thought he came back well later on in the innings. So, yeah, it's just one of these things, sometimes it doesn't always go your way. (on Wheal) Yeah, he did. I think he looked like he had really good rhythm today, and he's shown how effective he can be when he's got that rhythm. So that was really pleasing. I thought the whole bowling effort tonight was really good. I was proud of that fight that we've shown in that second innings there. Even in the field, I thought we backed that up really well, as I say, it's just a few more runs on the board would have been nice to help the bowlers out. (if they enjoyed their time in Kolkata?) Yeah, we've absolutely loved our time here. Obviously, it's been great for us to have three games here. Feels like a Indian home. We've had a lot of support and the hospitality's been fantastic. So it was a great atmosphere to finish things off here. And yeah, we'll move on to Mumbai now. And as I said, move on from this one as quick as we can and look forward to that last game against Nepal."

Tom Banton | Player of the Match: "Yeah, definitely I think, obviously, a tough game against West Indies. Full credit to them. But yeah, I think our full focus was on tonight and then obviously on to Italy in two days' time. (you needed the runs today) Yeah, definitely. It's T20 cricket. It's a high-risk game. And you've got to keep backing yourself, at times it goes against you. And it's hard. You've got to keep coming back, keep trying hard, keep practising. But yeah, luckily, today's my day. (did the pitch play to your strengths today?) I think so. When I watch cricket on TV in India, it seems to be absolute carnage. And I thought it was going to be pretty similar in Mumbai. But there was a bit of spin and a bit of hold. But yeah, it's nice to get on a really good wicket here tonight. (on not playing the sweep and reverse-sweep too much today) I think so. It was pretty, I would say, a bit low on the low side. And yeah, obviously I'd like to sweep and reverse. But I think my plan was to go as straight as possible. And then when they missed short, try and pull it away. (on learning to bat in different positions) Yeah, it's different. I think when your matchup comes on, you've got to really try and take it down. And yeah, keep backing yourself. You've got to give yourself a chance as well, I've kind of learnt. And look, I think the situation kind of dictates how you're going to bat. I think today I could give myself a bit of a chance. Good wicket, a fast-scoring outfield. And yeah, only chasing 150. So I just thought, give myself a chance and then try and catch up down the line. (a springboard this now for you?) Yeah, I hope so. Look, I just want to win games for England. If I'm contributing, then look, that's amazing. But if not, that's sometimes how it is."

Tom Banton in T20Is
1st inns: 12 inns, 195 runs at 17.72, SR: 137.32
2nd inns: 15 inns, 413 runs at 37.54, SR: 160.07

Banton vs LA orthodox in T20Is
Before today: 125(77), 8 dismissals, Avg: 15.62, SR: 162.33
Today: 36(16), SR: 225, 4s/6s: 1/3

Batters playing sweep shots vs spin in this game
Slog-sweep: 7 shots, 2 runs, four dismissals
Conventional sweep: 7 shots, 14 runs (4s: 3), two dismissals

Mark Watt in T20Is
In wins: 38 matches, 58 wickets at 14.6, SR: 14.3, ER: 6.08
In defeats: 39 matches, 33 wickets at 34.48, SR: 25.6, ER: 8.07

England vs European teams at T20 WC
Lost by 4 wickets vs Netherlands, Lord’s, 2009
No result vs Ireland, Providence, 2010
Lost by 45 runs vs Netherlands, Chattogram, 2014
Lost by 5 runs vs Ireland, Melbourne, 2022
No result vs Scotland, Bridgetown, 2024
Won by 5 wickets vs Scotland, Kolkata, 2026

18:17 Local Time, 12:47 GMT, 18:17 IST: England with an easy win in the end. Thanks to Tom Banton. He was under pressure with two low scores coming into the game but showed why he has been picked in this side. He has been striking the ball so well in this format in recent times. And today he took down Mark Watt en route to a match-winning knock. Scotland didn't have enough on a wicket which had just the hint of grip and turn for the spinners. Sweeping them proved fatal as the likes of Bethell and Brook found out. When Brook got out, the game was in the balance but the stand between Banton and Sam Curran eased all the nerves. The job was done with 10 balls to spare and that takes England to 2nd spot in the group. A morale-boosting win after their loss to West Indies in the last game. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff....

Baz McCullum looks chill watching on.