Banton helps England break T20 World Cup curse

England faced a familiar haunting feeling early in their chase at Eden Gardens. Despite being World Cup champions, they had a dubious T20 World Cup record against European teams: 5 played, 0 won. Scotland reduced them to 13/2 in 2 overs. In the fifth over, Jacob Bethell pushed back violently, hitting a straight six and a couple of fours in a 16-run over off Brandon McMullen. Tom Banton then delivered the next jolt, hitting three sixes off left-arm spinner Mark Watt.

England found a way out of this chokehold, but it wasn't straightforward despite a 66-run stand between Bethell and Banton. Banton batted till the end for a 41-ball 63*, adding partnerships with Sam Curran and Will Jacks to break the curse that has followed England in T20 World Cups.

England were 82/3 in 10 overs chasing Scotland's 152, but had to rebuild as Bethell fell against the run of play, caught by Brad Wheal at short fine off Oliver Davidson. England were reminded of past tremors when Harry Brook departed cheaply—also caught at short fine, off Michael Leask. Curran walked out with England on thin ice, though the asking rate was manageable. He batted England out of trouble alongside Banton.

From needing 44 off 36, the pair turned the screws, picking up 10 runs off Leask and 13 off Watt. Wheal returned to remove Curran, but England needed just 21 off 24. Wheal bowled a tight over after the wicket, conceding only five runs, but Jacks and Banton saw the team through with 10 balls to spare.

Scotland could have had more than 152 to defend. They were blunted early by a two-wicket Jofra Archer over, and Curran took a third inside the PowerPlay. However, the fourth-wicket partnership between Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce promised recovery. They were swift, taking 26 off Adil Rashid's first two overs. Spin in the middle-overs didn't work early, as Liam Dawson was also taken apart, powering Scotland to 90/3.

Curran and Jamie Overton bowled an over each before spin returned. Dawson and Rashid responded by removing both batters in successive overs, derailing Scotland in a four-over phase from 105/3 in 12 overs to 127/8 in 16 overs. Davidson threw his bat around at the death against Archer and Curran to drag his team past 150. For a brief while, it seemed enough for another World Cup upset, but in the end, it wasn't.

Brief scores:
Scotland 152 in 19.4 overs (Richie Berrington 49, Oliver Davidson 20*, Tom Bruce 24; Jofra Archer 2-24, Adil Rashid 3-36) lost to England 155/5 in 18.2 overs (Tom Banton 63*, Jacob Bethell 32, Sam Curran 28; Oliver Davidson 1-12) by 5 wickets.