England suffering another big match loss at the T20 World Cup has put them in a bit of a pickle as they will have to wait on the result of the match between the West Indies and South Africa to learn if their efforts against the United States will be enough to see them through to the last four.
If South Africa win that match it makes the permutations for England straightforward but they take on the United States first and will be out to secure as big a victory as possible.
A win is also likely to just be enough to move them ahead of South Africa on net run rate if the Proteas lose to the West Indies to leave the group locked up in a three-way points tie.
South Africa’s two narrow wins have given them little in the way of a cushion against the tiebreaker while both the West Indies and England have recorded more emphatic results and as such they are better placed when it comes to NRR.
To aid England a little more their match against the United States takes place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has been a ground that has been quite good for the batters of late.
If England lose to the United States they will most likely be eliminated as their current NRR is inferior to South Africa’s and well below that of the West Indies who hammered the USA. The Windies chased down a target of 129 in 10.5 overs to put themselves in a strong position heading into the final round of matches.
USA vs England: Suggested bets
USA captain Aaron Jones has already hammered a T20 World Cup record in this tournament and will carry the hopes of his nation pulling off another big upset against England. He is a batter who could cash in on the friendly Barbados surface.
Jofra Archer showed that he has the resilience a T20 bowler needs last time out when he came back from taking a pounding early on against South Africa to remove his tormentor Quinton de Kock. Archer is England’s lethal weapon when it comes to strike bowling.
England haven’t been great at getting off to flying starts in this tournament and they could end up being outscored by the USA in the opening six overs of the innings.
The USA need to start well and they could come in for those who have them backed in the over market on runs in the first six balls of the innings.
Predictions
Aaron Jones to notch the high score for USA
Jofra Archer to take the most wickets for England
USA to win the powerplay