Kolkata, February 13 A struggling England will face traditional rival Scotland here on Saturday in a must-win T20 World Cup match that could determine which of the two teams progresses to the Super Eight stage from Group C.
The West Indies are currently in the lead with back-to-back wins, while Scotland, Italy, and England – all with one win each – are separated only by net run rate. Scotland are in second place thanks to their dominant win against Italy.
Therefore, Saturday's match could give either side a decisive advantage in the race for second place, as both are expected to win their final group games. Scotland will face Nepal, while England will take on Italy.
Their rivalry, which began with the first official international football match in 1872, has long been fueled by history and national identity.
On the cricket field, the rivalry is relatively new but has steadily developed its own narrative.
In 2018, Scotland stunned England by six runs after posting a massive 371/5 in a one-off ODI in Edinburgh, and in the 2024 T20 World Cup, their group match was washed out after Scotland raced to 90 without loss in 10 overs, which derailed England's campaign.
For the Scots, there is unfinished business on the cricket pitch.
Openers George Munsey and Michael Jones had put on an unbroken 90-run stand in the abandoned 2024 encounter and will aim to complete their work against their "old enemy" at Eden Gardens.
The duo had smashed England's ace spinner Adil Rashid for 26 runs in two overs, and their match-up will once again be a highlight.
The 2022 champions, England, are facing mounting pressure, especially after a 30-run defeat to the West Indies, which has complicated the situation for the Harry Brook-led side after it narrowly won against Nepal in the tournament opener.
The loss on a turning Wankhede wicket also exposed England's recurring vulnerability against spin.
Chasing 197, they were in a good position at 74/1 before West Indies' spin twins Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase took five wickets between them. England lost six wickets in succession to spin during the middle overs and were eventually bowled out for 166 in 19 overs.
History also weighs heavily against the "Three Lions".
Since the inaugural edition in 2007, England has played nine matches against lower-ranked teams in T20 World Cups, managing four wins against three defeats – twice against the Netherlands and once against Ireland – and two "No Results".
Having made a dramatic late entry into the World Cup after Bangladesh's refusal to play in India, Scotland appear to be gaining momentum in the tournament.
They began with a loss to the West Indies, where they appeared short of preparation and rusty. However, they responded emphatically against Italy, who had beaten them in the European qualifiers.
Scotland piled up the first 200-plus total of the edition before bowling out Italy for 134 in 16.4 overs in their last outing at Eden Gardens.
Michael Leask was the key player.
He claimed a career-best 4/17 against Italy and then showcased his destructive batting at No.6, smashing Thomas Draca for two fours and two sixes in the last five balls he faced to help Scotland surpass the 200-mark.
Also, having stayed at the venue for over a week since their opening match on February 7, Scotland have developed a clear understanding of the conditions at Eden and could feel closer to "home" against their struggling neighbours.
There is an added context to the match.
Later in the day, the two nations will also clash in the Six Nations rugby championship in Edinburgh.
"We are certainly looking forward to it. We also have the Scotland rugby team taking on England the same day. So, it would make for a great headline if Scotland has two wins on Saturday," skipper Richie Berrington has summed up the mood.
Teams:
England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, and Luke Wood.
Scotland: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, and Brad Wheal.
Match starts: 3 PM IST.
