Kolkata, February 16 England finally rediscovered their attacking prowess, fueled by a strong start and a brilliant late surge from Will Jacks, to post a challenging total of 202 for seven against Italy in their must-win Group C match here on Monday.
With a place in the Super Eights at stake after a lackluster campaign, the two-time champions came out with all their might, but continued their trend of losing wickets at regular intervals.
It was Jacks' unbeaten 53 off just 22 balls (4x6, 3x4) that provided the late flourish, helping them reach their first 200-plus total in this edition.
England looked in trouble at 105/5 before Jacks and Sam Curran (25 off 19 balls) provided the late boost.
The pair stitched together the best partnership of the innings in a 54-run stand off just 25 balls for the sixth wicket.
Opting to bat, Phil Salt set the tone with a brisk 28 off 15 balls (2x4, 2x6) as England raced past 50 inside five overs.
However, veteran Jos Buttler's poor run continued as he was dismissed for just three in the third over, dismissed off the first ball by Grant Stewart.
Despite both openers being removed in the powerplay at 54/2 with Salt falling to Ali Hasan in the sixth over, England maintained their momentum.
Anthony Mosca produced a sensational catch at deep backward square leg from a mis-hit pull by Salt, triggering a brief wobble.
Jacob Bethell (23 off 20 balls) and Salt had earlier helped England reach the 50-run mark inside the powerplay, but Bethell too fell against the run of play as England lost both batsmen in the space of 11 balls.
Skipper Harry Brook (14 off 9 balls) looked in good form, smashing left-arm spinner JJ Smuts through long-off and then over square leg for six. But he went for a reckless shot off the next ball, edging a wide delivery to lose his wicket.
Tom Banton, fresh from his unbeaten 63 against Scotland, again got going with a fluent 30 off 21 balls.
Playing straight and getting to the pitch of the ball, he batted sensibly before gifting his wicket with a straightforward catch to Manenti at deep midwicket.
