Banton blasts England to victory over Scotland

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Learn more@americanexpress.com Explore board-gold terms and points cap apply. You're listening to the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 live two needed from 11 balls. England on the brink as Wheel comes running in and Jax will swing hard into the leg side. It goes out towards the boundary. That'll do it. Victory for England in Calcutta on Kolkata Cup Day. In the rugby in the cricket here in India it's victory for England over Scotland by five wickets. Victory for England over Scotland by five wickets. Banton unbeaten on 63. Jax with the finishing touches on 16. There were wobbles, there were moments. But for England they'll feel mighty relieved that they've got over the line and put the West Indies defeat behind them. Scotland, well they had real moments in this game, particularly the early wickets in England's run chase. But this deep England batting lineup eventually has just too much and that below par total of 152 all out from Scotland proved indeed to be just too few runs adding them win the game not just by five wickets but also with 10 balls remaining. Stephen Finn Professional job done. Professional job done. With a couple of hairy moments I think would be the caveat on the end of that one. I thought England set the tone really well with the ball right at the very top of the game after winning the toss. Then there was an outstanding partnership by Scotland that looked as though it might be dragging them back into the game. And then the way that Scotland started with the ball, those two quick wickets and Bethel and Banton had to consolidate and soak up a Lot of pressure in the face of some good bowling and some outstanding fielding. But then that lowish total that was set by Scotland meant that England didn't have to take, take too many risks in that rebuilding phase before they then accelerated towards their target towards the end. And I think a lot of kudos to Tom Banton actually here. Felt under a little bit of pressure coming into this game. Those two single figure scores in the first two games. Calling or with people in the media or on the fringes of the media asking for other players to be selected and other members of the squad to come in. But he showed he's a true class player and the way he played spin and dominated spin through the middle is a big reason why he's here playing in this World cup batting at number four. So a good job, well done by England. But Scotland should hold their heads up high after that performance. Stephen Finn alongside me, as is Scotland left arm spinner, Kirsty Gordon. Kirsty, what have you made of what we've seen in Calcutta this evening? Yeah, it's been an excellent game of cricket, I think. I think Finney's, you know, summarized the game beautifully there, actually. I think my sort of lasting thoughts are, you know, England, they'll, they want to go on and win this competition, don't they? That's what they've set out to do. Have we, are we convinced by what we've seen in their opening three games? I think they have a, still have a bit of work to do to go to the drawing board and sort of, you know, assess a few, a few parts of their game. But it's certainly starting to piece together. And that's what it's about really in tournament cricket, isn't it? It's about scraping through when you need to and then building momentum and peaking at the right time. And I think for England, Archer and how he bowled will be a massive tick for, for England. Banton coming into a bit of form and Liam Dawson I suppose as well, how he sort of closed out with the ball as well because spin wasn't easy to bowl on, on this surface. So I think England have a bit of work to do if they're going to go on and, you know, compete for the trophy in this, in this tournament. However, they've, they've got the job done today and that's what's most important. How nervous would they be ahead of today, Stephen? I'm not sure this team gets nervous, but there would have been jitters at times throughout the day, certainly. I think when Scotland were building that partnership through the middle of the, of their first innings and then in particular that first power play, or the only power play. The power play in those first few overs that Scotland bowled heaped pressure on England and it would have been very easy to just have a slog, have a swipe, try and hit your way out of it. But I think the way that England negotiated that showed at times the smarts that they've been missing this winter. We've asked them so many times in test cricket and one day cricket to be able to negotiate those tricky periods, see them through and then capitalize with the clear and abundant skill that they do have when they get beyond that tricky period. And I thought that this was a really good example of that today. But certainly in those first six overs of the, of the batting innings, there would have been some nerves in that dugout. Yeah, it's how you negotiate these things through a tournament. And tournament sport does require ugly wins at times. This wasn't quite an ugly win from England, Kirsty, but there were blips along the way and. And it required just a bit of patience towards the back end. Absolutely it did. And I think that's exactly what we've been calling for. As Finney said, you want players that are going to dig in and make sure that they're there at the end and that's what Banton's done. I think at times players haven't taken enough responsibility to see the job over the line and Banton's done that brilliantly today. I thought he went up and down the gears excellently when he had that partnership with Bethel and they were both going and he took Mark Watt down and then he sort of came back down the gears again as. As he'd earned the right to because the run rate had dropped significantly. So it was really good from England, I think, through that sort of middle phase with the bat. I think he was really well supported by, by Sam Curran. I liked his promotion to keep the left hand, right hand combination, which always makes it tricky for bowlers and especially the Spinners. So all in all, a pretty. A pretty good day out for England, but I think they would be naive not to go away and sort of tweak a few things and think about a couple of bits that they're going to need to be sharpish on if they're to go on and get through the Super Eights. Right, here's Tom Banton with Michael Atherton. From 41 balls, you can accept your Player of the Match award. Many Congratulations. You won't need reminding how important that result was. It was all about the result tonight. 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 onto Italy in two days time. And for you, after a relatively quiet start to the tournament, you needed those runs tonight. Yeah, definitely. It's T20 cricket. It's a high risk game and you got to keep backing yourself at times. It goes against you and it's hard. You got to keep coming back, keep trying hard, keep practicing. But yeah, luckily today was my day and it's a change of venue. A slightly different surface pitch in Mumbai that holds and turns far more than here. Did that play to your advantage tonight? 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. And the over that seemed to really get you going was when Mark Watt came on. Did you have it in your mind that down the ground was the way to go, given how many wickets had fallen tonight, to sweeps and catches? Square of the wicket? 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 miss short, try and pull it away. And generally in T20 cricket, you batted kind of in the first three. You're at full here for England. I mean, how much of an adjustment is that for you? Yeah, it's different. I think when your matchup comes on, you 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 learned. 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. A good wicket, 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. And a springboard this can be for you now going into the rest of the tournament. Yeah, I hope so. Look, I just want to win, win games for England. If I'm contributing, then look, that's amazing. But if not, that's sometimes how it is. Well done tonight. Thank you very much. Thoughts there. Tom Banton, who Scored and unbeaten 63 of 41 as England have beaten Scotland here in Calcutta by 5 wickets. Will get reaction from the two captains shortly as well as hearing from Liam Dawson, the England left arm spinner, Stephen Finn. Kirsty Gordon still alongside me. England know if they beat Italy, that guarantees qualification. Playing here again in Calcutta. I mean today felt like the bigger threat, but we've learned to not expect anything to be certain in this tournament. But yeah, it felt like one of those where things could get a bit funky if, if everything fell in place for Scotland. It, it certainly did. It certainly did in those early wickets. That's why even more, more so that those early wickets that England took with the ball in hand after winning the toss would have just settled their nerves because had that opening power play gone around the park a little bit and Scotland only been one down, then you leave yourself on a good pitch really chasing your tail a little bit. So. So yeah, the way that England started the game, I think really set it up for them. They negotiated some tricky periods throughout. I thought Scotland stuck gamely to their task but, but is really that first power play that stuffed them. Yeah, I, I think the, the worry for Scotland was when we saw the, the wickets falling early, Kirsty and, and whether they'd be able to recover. I mean they did recover nicely, it has to be said, with the run scored by, by Jones, Barrington, Bruce, but 152 all out, albeit they nearly batted the 20 overs, it never felt like it was going to be enough. No, exactly that. And I think when we were 42 for three after the power play, that partnership had to happen. The, the Bruce and Barrington one was so crucial because unlike England who seem to sort of bat all the way down, huge depth. Scotland, they don't have that. They have players that, yes, can hit out at the end, but they don't have players that can really take a game away from the opposition down there. So Bruce and Barrington, excellent partnership and really got Scotland back into the game. But they just weren't able to capitalize on that. They lost regular wickets from there on in and like you said, 152. It was never going to be enough. Yeah. As we wait for the two captains, the most amazing leisure show is taking place on the outfield at Eden Gardens. It really is quite spectacular. But floodlights now twinkle back on. Crowd have been richly entertained by that. But I just want a little word, Finney on, on the crowd and what we've seen today because fantastic numbers coming in. Yeah. For a neutral game here in Calcutta, I think what 50,000 people or just shy of 50,000 people to come and witness this between, between Scotland, England was, was outstanding and a lot of Scotland fans in. Every time there was a dot ball in the second half of the game there, there were big cheers. So, yeah, great for the game, great to see and a good advocate for T20 cricket. Yeah, indeed. England win by five wickets then in terms of what it does for the table. Well, it wasn't a super, super convincing victory, but it was a good victory for England who got over the line with a little bit of time to spare. It means they go up to second. They've played three matches now. 1 2, lost 1. West Indies top of the pile on four points, having won both of their matches. Scotland are in third, having now lost two games and are on two points. They still have a net run rate that's superior to England's, it must be said, after England's big defeat against West Indies. But, but for them it's, it's now the position with their final group match against Nepal where they've got to find a way of, of getting a really significant victory and, and hoping for, for some, some miracles elsewhere. Kirsty? Yeah, the back, the backs are really against it now, but I think, you know, as we've, we've said they've had a great showing of themselves and with such a limited time to prepare and, and be on this, this biggest stage, you can really take your hat off to how well they've performed in all three facets of the game across all three of their fixtures so far. For England, it is a sigh of relief and they should obviously go on to be Italy and as we know, anything could happen, but for England, it will probably be. How can they piece together all these different parts when we get into the Super 8 stage? Because that's going to be really, really fascinating and high competition and anyone can beat anyone. Yeah, we've certainly seen that so far in this competition. There's been no matches where you've thought this is two sides that have no right to be facing each other. It's. It's an FA cup weekend this weekend, but it's not felt like a Premier League team playing against a non league team at all in any game really. With with Scotland running England reasonably close in this match certainly causing some headaches. Arguably the match that was most dominated was the one between Nepal and Italy that Italy won. But yeah, we've learned to expect the unexpected in the tournament. Let's get some reaction from the two captains. Here's Michael Atherton Yes. Scotland captains Richie Berington is here waiting patiently. Thanks for your time. 152. You left a few out there. It looked a good surface. Yeah, absolutely. I thought it was a really good surface to battle 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 inning so we could get that extra 20, 30 runs. You lost five wickets to spin on a pitch that really didn't spin that much. Was that a disappointing aspect of the first half of the game? Yeah, I think we still knew spin was going to be key through that middle phase today. Obviously they've 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, who can play that phase of the game really well. Unfortunately, we just didn't quite, quite click in that phase today. There's a lot of catches that went kind of square and in the deep. I wondered whether in retrospect you might have thought you could have played down the ground a little 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 in different conditions. But as I say, I think, you know, having that partnership through the middle was, was really good. It just, just wasn't quite long enough. Early wickets, did you sense a few nerves there from England given the importance and the context of the game? Yeah, look, I think although we were a few runs short with the back, we still had that belief that if we went out there and executed our best skills, we could, 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, we keep silent, executing our best skills, we can put anyone under pressure. Mark Watts, normally a banker for you, his first over went for 22. How much pressure did that put on you? Knowing kind of when do I bring him back type of decision? Yeah, look, that can happen, you know, some days it's not yours and, but he's 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's, it doesn't always go your way. And a significant improvement from Brad Weil tonight, who's been coming back from injury and playing his second game. Looked right back to his best today. Yeah, he did. I think he looked like a 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 said, it's just a few more runs in the board would have been nice to help the bowlers out. You're off to Mumbai now. You've had three matches here in Kolkata. Have you enjoyed yourself? And it was a fantastic turnout tonight. 40,000 for this game. Yeah, we've absolutely loved, loved our time here. Obviously it's been great for us to have three games here. Feels like our Indian home. We've had a lot, a lot of support and the hospitality has been fantastic. So it was a great atmosphere to finish things off here. And yeah, we'll move on to Mumbai now and I say move on from this one as quick as we can and look forward to that last game against Nepal. Good luck in Mumbai. Cheers. Thank you. Cheers, Richie, go well for the rest of the comp. Yeah, you too. Harry, congratulations. First of all, it was all about the result this evening. You needed those points and you needed to up that net run rate a bit. Yeah, definitely. And yeah, I'm just glad that we got over the line tonight. Yeah, 1:52. It looked a very good surface. You must have been pretty confident at the halfway mark. Yeah, absolutely. We were over the moon with that. They batted really well against our spinners again in their first couple of spells. And yeah, yeah, they were getting ahead of us at one point, but then we managed to drag it back really well. Joffre Archer had not had the easiest first two games. I think he'd gone for 90 in those two games combined. And therefore a confidence boosting return from him today. Yeah, he was slamming the length beautifully today. He got his lines and lengths perfect and bowling gas again and yeah, with good skill. So it's nice to see him back on the park and doing really well. In fact, the two players who really performed tonight had quiet games, quiet first two games. Tom Banton, the other one, of course, yeah, he was awesome and that's why he's come in. 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. And he deserves, he deserves all of that and he's played really nicely. Were you concerned when the first two early wickets fell or have you got confidence that that middle order always had it in hand? Yeah, I've always got confidence there. We knew that it 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. And then when you get the ball to hit for six, try it for six. But the Bants played it beautifully, though. Beautifully well there. And Sam's little cameo as well was awesome. Italy to come then. You know the conditions now and a chance to press home and find some form before the Super Eights, hopefully from your perspective. Yeah, we haven't quite had that perfect game yet. They've all been a little bit niggly so far and yeah, hopefully we can have an easier game against Italy and play our best cricket that everybody knows and loves and yeah, we can, we can put some smiles on some faces. But back home and get through the, through the stages. You mentioned a couple of niggly games. Why haven't you quite found your best form? Because you came into the tournament on a run of excellent form in T20 cricket. Yeah, I'm not quite sure to be honest. We just haven't quite hit our, 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. The, the rise. Okay, well done tonight. Good luck against Italy. Cheers. Well, thoughts there of the two captains, Harry Brooks always very honest, Stephen, isn't he? So sometimes almost too honest. But you know, he, you do get a sense that what he says and what he's telling you in interviews that you know is coming from a heart and it's coming from a truthful place. Absolutely. I think as the interviewer, you always have to have your next question lined up very, very quickly in your head because it, it's always very brief, isn't it? His first answer, if he agrees with what you're saying. He just says were good. Thanks. Let's move on. So, yeah, clear communication from him, but he'll be pleased with the way that his team have eventually got over the line. He's probably playing it down that he had absolute confidence at eight for two or whatever England were in the inside the first couple of overs that, that they would definitely make it through. But the Length of their batting lineup and, and the way that, that Banton in particular played, soaked up the pressure and then took the attack to the Spinners is exactly what he's in the team for. So it was a comfortable victory in the end and one that he'll be very pleased about because they really did need those points. Kirsty, Richie Barrington, he said a little emotional. I felt there as if this really was an opportunity that they didn't quite seize here. Scotland. Yeah, well, I think there's probably a little bit of hurt still from that 20, 24 World cup that we've been speaking about, where, you know, they were in the driving seat when the rain came and today probably felt like another opportunity. There's a lot of belief in that Scotland team and rightly so. So I think he knows himself that they left himself short and when he got out in particular was a real turning point of the game after brilliant innings and from him and partnership with Tom Bruce. So, yeah, he's an emotional guy and you can sort of tell that in exactly how his body language was, that they just knew they fell short in that area and, and it's cost them tonight because they, they bowled and fielded so excellently. How close do you think these two sides are? I mean, people talk about England's firepower and people expecting them to win comfortably most of the time that they play against Scotland, but, you know, the Scottish side of time and again risen in these occasions to really causing them problems when they don't play each other often. More broadly, I suppose. Cause the, the bigger, if you like, nations problems. Well, I think we're seeing that across the World cup in general, aren't we, that some of these associate nations are causing a lot of problems. And I think it's because it means so much to them. Each game they play is so important. And I'm not saying it's. It's not important to Phil Saul and Jacob Bethel. Of course it is. But for Scotland, this is their one opportunity to cause an upset, to be on the big stage. I do think there's probably a difference in the depth underneath. That's probably the biggest difference is that for Scotland, this is ultimately their best 11, their best 14 players here. If you were to replace George muny or Brandon McMullum, the, the, the gap would be quite significant. Whereas you look at England's eleven and it's, it's stacked with talent. But of course, there are players that are not here on cup that could easily slot into England's team and cause some serious Damage. So that's probably where I see there being quite a big gulf in. In the sort of depths of the squads. England speak a lot about the depth they have in. In their lineup, Stephen. And they bat deep, we know that. But we've also seen contributions in this tournament now from. From different players which have been encouraging. And Tom Banton's innings was one that was, if not required, statistically, others could have done the damage tonight. It was required, you felt, for the conversation around his place and Harry Brooks position in the lineup. Yeah, for himself. I mean, he's a guy who hasn't been back in the England team for that long and would just be desperate to take his opportunity and, yeah, maybe snatched at that in the first two games. You talk about what it means to represent your country in a World cup, it certainly adds that extra layer of pressure on top of it. But I thought he looked really calm today when he made the decision to get himself into his innings in those first four or five overs where he had to come in, soak up the pressure. Two down early, but he gave himself a chance and then as soon as he recognized the opportunity to try and put the boot on the other foot and try and put Scotland under pressure, he. He committed to that and he executed perfectly. So, see, I'm really pleased for Tom Banton and the way he's come through it. And that will quieten down the noise which as a player, even though you try not to focus on it, you're. You're acutely aware of it. So that noise will stop after his player of the match performance today. Yeah. You sense that he's done enough of a job in this game to make sure that that noise does. Does quieten down. If you're filling out the England report card, we've now had enough of a sample size, three matches. What's been good? What needs work on? Well, I think actually the. That's a good question because it's actually chopped and changed each game, hasn't it? For me, I think it's a tad concerning how easily the spinners have been took for 10 and over at times. And different things contribute to that clearly. But I think that's something that they'll want to tighten up because as the tournament goes on, spin it feels is going to. Is going to play a massive part of it. I think getting out of big overs, not allowing that last ball, if you've conceded 8 or 10 off your first five, not allowing that last ball to go for a boundary, whether it's a four or A six to make it a monster over, I think creates big swings in games and outside of that, I think England have been okay, but still with lots of, I think across the board everything. Probably just needs to raise 5 or 10%. Kirsty, would you say that's fair? Yes, very fair. I would agree with that. I think they need somebody in that top four or five to keep going big if they're to win these tough matches that are to come. And to score sort of 180, 200 plus, they're really going to need one of those to, to go big. I think Sam Curran's been, been really good. I know he was a little bit expensive at times, but the way he closed out the game against Nepal, how he tried to carry that, the tail towards the back end against West Indies and, and again today with the bat, he's played a really nice role alongside Banton. Yeah. And again it's that thing of different players standing up at different points. Well, that's why when you asked me that question, my mind's flicking around trying to think about who needs to, who needs to perform better. They probably want more from their opening partnership. We've got two of the most explosive players in world cricket, veterans of IPL cricket now as well. Both have won ipl. So they know what it is to play cricket on these pitches and they know what it is to win on these pitches. So if that opening partnership does manage to fire towards the back end of this competition, it makes England extra dangerous. Let's hear some more reaction from the Scotland camp then. Michael Jones scored 33 of 20 balls and he's been speaking to Test Match Special's Adam Mountford. Well, Michael, not to be for Scotland today, but you took it deep and it was a tough game for England. Yeah, obviously it was a shame in the end after we had a decent enough first half of the bat that we couldn't, you know, get 20, 30, 40 more runs on there, which we probably looked likely to do, I would say, after the 10 over mark for our innings. You know, if we, if we'd done that then maybe it would have been even closer than what it was in the end. You know, we saw, we took him deep there even with 150 on the board. So if we'd got that 170, 180, which we probably needed, you know, it could have been a really, really tight game. So. Yeah, and you and the captain though, a good partnership and as you say, at one stage you look like getting a really big total. Yeah, no Definitely, yeah. I mean, obviously we. We lost a couple of wickets early, and then after that, you know, myself and Richie went. Went nicely up until the sort of the back end of the power play. So, yeah, I think at the halfway stage, I looked up at the board and we were 90 for 3, I think, after 10. So you'd like to think, you know, we probably should have doubled that, really, if we'd batted, you know, the way that we probably can, we just didn't do on the day. So, yeah, if we'd done that, then who knows? But it wasn't to be today. Was there a frustration at losing those wickets because you say that possibly made the difference in the match? Oh, hugely. It's obviously such a shame when you get into, you know, a really good position not to sort of follow through and bat like we know we can. You know, Leesky and Crossy and even Watty, you know, you got so much power at the back end, so we could have just took it a little bit deeper. You know, who knows? It's a shame as well. Obviously, Barrow is tight on that, on that LBW call, umpire's call. So, you know, little things like that, you know, they go your way and who knows, could have been different, but on the day, not to be. But, yeah, it's always a close game, so. Good. Did you think you might have enough runs? Well, I think we were probably 20, 30 shy, to be honest. It was a good wicket. It's obviously fast outfield and so, you know, we were always going to, you know, try and get into the scrap as much as we could, which we. I think we did. We did well. But ultimately I think we were probably 20, 30 light. Yeah. But then early wickets put the pressure on when there were a couple down. Was there a bit. There was a bit of excitement amongst the team at that point. Massively. Yeah, definitely. I think Joss and Salty, obviously, such quality players. Used to seeing them come out and whack the ball to all corners. So when we had them a couple of wickets down early and the ball was swinging, they put the lights on. The ball seemed to be doing a little bit. So even our attacks, probably different to what these guys are used to facing 140, you know, Brando and Brad offer something a bit different, you know, a bit more maybe not necessarily more skillful, but obviously slower pace, but get swing and, you know, able to use conditions well so, you know, something different, I guess, for them to face. And, you know, when we had those early few wickets, it was like, you know, properly in the game here, so who knows? But ultimately, I think we needed, you know, a few more runs on the board. But then you had those two wickets very quickly, didn't in Bethel and the captain, Harry Brooke. And again, there was that feeling of a few more nerves in the England batting lineup. Yeah, no, of course, yeah. I mean, there's such a quality side. What is the only thing, you know, they've got so many more bats to come. You know, Jackson puts, comes in, who's open spot in for Surrey. And then even after that, you've got Jamie O, Dawson, Archer, everyone who can come in and smack it. So it's like, this is great that we keep taking wickets, but, you know, the firepower just keeps on coming. So it's like, you know, we need to carry on. Even we go, we got two quick ones here, you know, we need another two quick ones. So it's like, yeah. But the momentum swung in our favour for a minute there, so. Which was exciting. And the crowd was really up, you know, such an iconic venue and it was loud and we were out there, so it was pretty cool, especially at that time of the game. So, yeah, shame we didn't, you know, it wasn't even close than what it was, but it's good to take it deep anyway, even with only 150 on the board. You mentioned the crowd. You've been lucky to play a couple of games here already. But you look around here, 50,000 people for a neutral game in India. I mean, just amazing. One of the most famous grounds in the world. Can't complain, can you, really? Especially when two weeks ago I was sitting on my couch thinking, like, you know, you know, it's a shame we weren't going to be there. You know, what does my winter look like, running around the track at Old Trafford? And then two weeks later, you know, here we are playing in front of 50,000 people against, like, taking it to the wire against England. Like, it's pretty cool. And you mentioned playing against England. I mean, is it a bit different? Because you do know a lot of these players. When you play in county cricket, you come across these players a lot up against some of the teams you play in a tournament like this. Is that a different experience for you? I find it really cool. I actually love the sort of pressure that comes with it, I think, you know, as a. An associate team, you know, it feels like all the pressure is on England to come in and walk this game. I. Not necessarily walk it, but definitely to win. And so for me, it's like Especially knowing the guys, it's like, okay, let's see what you can do on the big stage, you know, against our guys. You know, it's exciting. And for me, like, to be able to take on the people that. I mean, I haven't played against some of the bowlers an awful lot because a lot of them are in the south group, being from Lancs and Durham before that. But I obviously know of them and played against a few of them before and obviously no soldiers, Joss, Luke, Wood from Lanks. So, yeah, it's just a cool experience. It's nice to, like, especially if we had a slightly better half, you know, to come out, get those early wickets and just feel the pressure of an associate nation. I think putting it on England, like, it's pretty cool, and it's about the pressure being on England, but it's a little bit of pressure on Scotland because you've had this late chance to come in the World cup, you know, you want to show what you can do. You want to show that the qualifying tournament was a blip. Yeah, no, of course, yeah. There is pressure on us because I think, you know, we have been in this situation before and performed, so I think people know that we're a decent team and not to be, you know, taken lightly, I think. So there is definitely pressure on us, but I think, you know, with the lack of preparation that we had and also, you know, the quality of the opposition and everything like that, and even, like the limited opportunity probably that we get, I think there's more pressure on the other teams. That's not to say there isn't pressure on us. Obviously, we still got to perform, but I think we try and view it as there's more pressure on them. And so for us, let's go out there and just show what we can do. It'll need some results to go your way to be able to get to the Super 8. But you've got another big game, actually, against a team that's been one of the exciting teams in the tournament in Nepal. That's something to look forward to. Oh, hugely. Especially, you know, we've played our three games here, and then we fly to Mumbai tomorrow. A lot of us wouldn't have played any cricket at the. I think it's the Wankidi, so it's just another experience in front of a Nepal crowd that I'm sure will be extremely loud. You know, they've sold out, I think, the second most tickets or something like that. So you can guarantee they'll be there in Force and it's just another experience I guess to have and hopefully we can get a win. Thanks so much. Thank you. Well, that was Michael Jones chatting to BBC Sports. Adam Mountford on the boundary edge. He scored 33 from 20 balls as Scotland rule out for 152 in 19.4 overs. England reaching 155 for 5 and winning the game with 10 balls to spare. So it is now two wins out of three for England who know that if they beat Italy here in Kolkata in their next game on Monday, they will qualify for the Super Eights. For Scotland they need results to go their way and then a victory against Nepal to give them any opportunity for qualification. Right, let's hear a little bit more from the England camp. Liam Dawson on a non friendly surface for spinners bowl very nicely. Four overs, two for 34. And he's also been speaking to Adam Alford. Well, Liam, England got over the line impressively in the end, but wasn't the most straightforward encounter in the end. No, not at all. We, we obviously knew today we had to come here and win obviously in a must win game. So yeah, not the prettiest of results but as I said, we've got over the line, we've won again. And in terms of the opposition, was it some ways more difficult playing a team like Scotland where you know some of the players and there's that sort of extra rivalry? No, I think they're, they're a very good team. Again, as you know, all the associate nations have shown in this competition so far. I think the way they played, they attacked the spinners, me and Rash, I thought they played us really well. Fair play to them. They played well but as I said, the main thing to today was us to get the win and we did that. And their score, 150 yard at the halfway stage. England very confident to chase that down, I imagine. Yeah, definitely. We felt it was a very, very good wicket. Obviously a small ground, tough to defend here. So we were very happy with that. With halfway stage, I think they were 90 for 3 after 10 over. So I think to be 60 for 7 in the following 10 was a great effort for us to keep them to 150. Was that the most important part of the game? In some ways the fact that you took those wickets and very much stemmed the flow of their runs and yourself and ADR Rasheed playing a big part with spin? Yeah, definitely. Obviously I think our first four overs combined probably went for a few too many runs, what we like, but I think they played exceptionally well, they exploited the boundary size here very well. But I thought the way we sort of came back in our last four overs together in that partnership sort of, you know, turned the game. A few nerves at the start of the innings there when a couple of wickets fell early. Of course, always nerves when you lose a wicket early on. But as I said, we bat obviously very deep in this team. But I said that the main thing today was to come in and win the game. And that's what we did. Was it? Pleased for Tom Banton Had a bit of a struggle at the start of the tournament. Hasn't necessarily established himself in this England side, but that was a fine innings today. It was a brilliant innings under pressure. I think only two or three innings ago he got man of the match in Sri Lanka. So, yeah, he's in good form and yeah, tonight is a great, you know, it's a great work to him for him to get man of the match. Let's talk about you and your chance to make playing this England team in a World Cup. It's an amazing story, isn't it? 10 years ago, 10 years ago you're in an England squad in a World cup and you've only played your first matches in a world tournament the last few weeks. I mean, what's it been like for you? I've said to a lot of people, obviously, to be back involved at the age I'm at, into play a part has been really cool. Obviously brings expectation and pressure with that in trying to perform. So all I can do is try and perform each time I play. Try and enjoy it. Obviously. T20 is a very fickle game and, you know, some days it goes through, some days it doesn't. But, you know, yeah, every chance I get to play for England now I've got enjoy at my age. Was there a moment that you thought, I'm never going to play a World cup game. I'm going around carrying the drinks, I'm on the edge of it. You've been part of World cup winning teams, but not playing yourself. Was there a moment you thought the chance had gone well? Yeah, the age you get to, yes, probably. But you know, I was very realistic that those World Cups I was involved with, you had Moen Ali and Adirasheed as the two spinners. So I, I knew I was back up to them. They're two really, really good bowlers, world class bowlers. So I knew where I stood in that side in those squads and I was very happy with that. But yeah, I kept working hard, probably did feel that I wouldn't play for England again, really, at my age, but to have that opportunity now is really cool and hopefully I can play a few more games and perform. And you're grabbing the opportunity. You've contributed in every game so far. Listen, I'll never do anything amazing, but I like to think that I'm, I'm fairly consistent and solid for the captain. So, yeah, that's, that's all I can do. And, you know, the age I'm at now, I'm not going to really change much what I do, but if I could try and be consistent and, and do that performance, our performance, that'll be. That's the ideal. And just looking ahead for England, you've got the Italy game to go. Obviously confident you can make it through to the Super 8 stage. But again, you saw what they did the other day. You know you're not taking any teams lightly. No, as I said this, this competition, all the associate teams have, have been brilliant so far. They've been. There's been some close games, so, yeah, certainly won't take them lightly at all. It's good that we've played on this ground. Obviously we've got a three o' clock game again on Monday, so know the conditions a little bit more and yeah, hopefully we can play well and win. And if you do reach that Super 8, would your message be that England are a very dangerous side? Well, I think that the first and foremost of this is you want to qualify for the next stage. I think that's the first goal. You know, we have to win one more game on Monday to do that, so obviously concentrate on that first and then see where we end up. Liam, thanks for joining us. Thank you. Cheers. Thanks, man. Well, the thoughts there of England's Liam Dawson on a day that ultimately led to success for an England side under pressure after defeat against West Indies. Stephen Finn still alongside me and Stephen, job done for England. They know what they've got to do against Italy. They'll fancy that they should win that pretty comfortably as well and they can be a side filled with a degree of, if not relief, but satisfaction. Yeah, well, Harry Brooke mentioned it, didn't he, in his post match interview, that they're kind of scrapping their way through the group and they want to try and peak at the right time, which is a lot about winning World Cups and going far in tournaments is about peaking at the right time because it's very hard to sustain for five weeks at that very top level and make it all the way through to the very end. So, yeah, ignall be enthused about the signs. I think it's good that it's been different people contributing in the wins that they've had. And they'll sleep far easier knowing that their destiny is in their own hands. If they manage to beat Italy, they go through to the next phase out of 10. England's World cup so far. I mean, they're doing the job that they're meant to do, so it has to be high. There's certainly areas to improve, but in the first instance, you just have to get out the group. So I'll give them a seven at the moment for having done that without really hitting the ceiling that we know they're capable of. But they'll have good memories of that tour in Sri Lanka where they did play some really good cricket to win there. That will spur them on to hit greater heights throughout the Super Eights. If they get there. If they get there. Got to play Italy first of all, here in Calcutta. Steven, thank you very much. Tomorrow our focus switches to arguably the biggest game in world cricket. India against Pakistan at the Prima Dasa Stadium in Colombo. And we can find out a little bit more about this blockbuster game with our test match special colleagues Daniel Norcross leading the team out in Sri Lanka. I'm in the van on the way back to our hotel after watching Ireland beat Oman. And we are now gearing up, fully anticipating, getting very excited for the game that looked like it was never going to happen. India against Pakistan. It is back on and it's going to be taking place at the Premadasar Stadium tomorrow Sunday. Cannot wait for it, Although I've got Artif Nawaz alongside me, as well as World cup winner Alex Atley. Artif, there's not quite as much riding on this game, is there, as both sides have won the first two games and they're almost certainly guaranteed to qualify for the Super Eights come what may. Yeah, in terms of this tournament, the context of the group stage, and they're both pretty sure to go through to the Super 8s of the world cup, but there's always something riding on an India Pakistan game, and that is the hopes and dreams and visions and ambitions of almost 1.5 billion people around the world. So everybody will watch it with interest and the result will definitely carry some consequence, even if it's just bragging rights. How do these two teams shape up, Al, going into this, this match tomorrow? Well, India favourites for the competition as they have been for the last few years, they were dominant Against Namibia, however, USA actually managed to get early wickets against India. They've got a very, very powerful top order with Ishan Kishan, Sanju, Sampson at the top, who want to take advantage of that power play. Look, I think Pakistan are again the underdogs, but it doesn't mean to say that I think this is the strongest Pakistan team we've seen at a T20 World cup for a while. They're in great form. Yes, they could have and should have lost to the Netherlands first game, but it was first game nerves, wasn't it, for. For Pakistan. But the brand of cricket and the style of cricket they're playing at the minute, I think at phases throughout the game that tomorrow will probably put India under pressure. Now, the reason there was a kind of earthquake that came when Pakistan said they weren't going to play this game is because every World cup, this is the match, Artif. This is a game that everybody is watching. You've mentioned the entire Indian subcontinent, but because these two sides don't play bilateral series, it has a kind of rarity value and it is a huge occasion. It's going to be sold out. Everybody's going to be trying to arrive like this three hours early. Give us a sense of the sort of atmosphere. You've done a few of these games before we can expect tomorrow. Yeah, it will be an. An incredible atmosphere. I think it will be largely dominated by an Indian crowd who are flying in in huge number from India. In fact, air prices from India to Colombo over the course of last week have skyrocketed ever since that announcement was made that the game is definitely back on. Tickets were sold out a long time ago. People are reselling them and reselling them. I'm told by the local, sort of the local Sri Lankan population that they're quite keen on the Pakistan side. There's a big Muslim population here in Colombo and they quite like the Pakistan team in terms of, like the match itself. There is a sense of occasion because I think there's a bit more expectation from this Pakistan team. India have dominated that rivalry over the past five, almost 10 years, really, and certainly in World Cups. Pakistan have only ever won one match in T20 World Cups against India before that was in 2021, but subsequently they lost. The next two games, 2022 and 2024 were quite close, actually, and I expect this one to be close as well, because the Pakistan team, a, they've been based in Colombo the whole time. So far, they've not had to travel at all. India are going to have to come over to Colombo. It's going to be their first time at the R Premidasa in this competition. Pakistan's. Pakistan will also be the R Premidasa for the first time for this match. But the spin attack, the balance of their spinners, the balance of their bowlers, I think is going to be key for this match. They just seem to be hitting this stride at the right time. Lots of options and a really, really canny captain in Salman Aliaga. So I think it's going to be quite close. You know, India love to sweep for the hills. They like to hit sixes. It's a bit easier to do that on those postage stamp grounds. In India, though. Premadas is a biggie. It's the biggest in the tournament. Might that prove their downfall? I feel like the Indian buyers can clear or any batters in this tournament can clear the boundaries. It could be. Absolutely could be. We know how important the spin has been throughout this competition. Tariq, there's been a lot of eyes on him and his bowling action takes the pace off. He will pause in the crease and, you know, try and get the timing of the Indian batters all muddled up. So, look, they could absolutely haul out to the deep. But it also wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of sixes as well. We saw a lot of sixes at the game today between Ireland and Oman. And that ground isn't much smaller than the one they're playing at the tomorrow. We spend an awful lot of time when teams come up against each other analyzing the different strengths of the sides. We've talked about this a little bit, how Pakistan actually will favor these Sri Lankan pitches. They've got a good spin bowling lineup ready for it. We talk about the matchups, but you know what? I reckon tomorrow can be dominated by a handshake. Are we going to get handshakes? It sounds petty, but it's more than that. It's more than symbolic. It's. Everybody's going to be keeping their eyes out for it. Yeah, it's going to be a huge part of the game. I mean, notably during the course of the Asia cup, the three times that India played Pakistan, there were no handshakes between the two sides. And we haven't seen them in ICC events since then as well. I suspect that the meeting that took place in Lahore to confirm this game would happen, that involved the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the ICC and the pcb. I suspect it was one of the things that was talked about. I'd love to see it happen. It would be a great gesture. There's been a lot of frosty politics, but between India and Pakistan, there was a war between them in 2025, so if there was a handshake, I think it would go a long way in terms of settling diplomatic relations. Just as long as it doesn't rain. It started raining as we've been driving back now and that's the last thing we need. So we cannot wait. 1.30pm GMT, 7pm local time, it gets underway. You can listen on Fire, Sports Extra and BBC Sounds as well as follow it along on the BBC Sport app and website. It's going to be quite the occasion. Can't wait for that one to get underway. On Sunday afternoon. UK time, 1:15, our coverage will begin. Prakash Wakanka is no doubt going to be following what we see from that game. And Prakash, there's going to be an awful lot of people across the Indian subcontinent and the world training their eyes on this fixture that only comes about in ICC events. And every time there's a story on this occasion, it's whether the match would happen at all. But it's a huge game. It is. It always is. Has been like that ever since I can remember, frankly. Henry. Yes, there's been different emotions attached to them, but it's always been the kind of game of cricket that both countries, people who either have family or have origins there or have relationships in either countries, wherever they are in the world, always want to try and follow it. And I think it will be just very much similar with a huge following both at the Premadasa and I'm sure around the world on television and radio. Yeah. Looking at the potential for flights from Kolkata to Colombo, you're going to have to take quite a circuitous route, I think, to get it, to get there. So you'll be watching somewhere in, in town here in Kolkata with us. What will it be like for, you know, the major cities, the small villages all across India? I mean, how will people consume this event? Well, I think it will be followed whether or not, and being a Sunday, I guess for a lot of people, it will be obviously a holiday. Most people will watch it at home, maybe some big screens in, in clubs and pubs and hotels and so on, so forth. Communities. It's. It's not unheard to have a big screen put up in a. In a big housing complex and for everyone to get together and watch it. I do suspect that this time the following in the rural part of India will be even greater because that's what's happening over the last few years. Given the mix and the formation of the Indian team, so many of the new players coming through from all parts of the country. It's no longer that preserve of four or five cities where you had representation. Obviously nationalism, jingoism and everything in between on both sides of the border will be at its peak. I can only hope and sincerely pray A that the rain gods have mercy and let the game happen and B that it is played as a game of cricket and all the other stuff that's around it is left alone for those four or five hours or whatever it takes for the game to start and finish. Can that happen? I think it can. I think it can because truth be told, based on what little I know, I've never, never played obviously against Pakistan. But I think players on both sides ideally would left would love to be left alone to play their cricket and not be involved in all the other stuff. Sometimes I think it is the powers that be on either side or both sides which tend to directly or indirectly push players, put pressure, make them do things which they may not necessarily want to. I mean I can't imagine that two elite team athletes would not want to shake hands before or after the game. I think they would if there's direction not to. Obviously I don't think people have a choice but to follow. But I hope that all of those shenanigans are out. We have a good game of cricket and may the best team on the evening win. In recent times it's always been India. You have to go back some distance for, for Pakistan success. Yes. I think you have to go back to Dubai to, to that one loan success in World Cups that Pakistan have had. They dearly, dearly would like to try and double that. India on the other hand, I think will, will want to keep that record going to sort of continue to assert their supremacy at least on a cricket field. Yeah, it's, it's been quite one sided of late. It must be said. Both sides should still qualify for the Super 8. So there's not quite the jeopardy in the fixture. Yes, there isn't because I think given the way the results have gone, even if God forbid it turned out to be a no result, it doesn't benefit or hurt one of the team or the other. I think both are pretty, pretty comfortable which is why I think it'll be a great game. There will be very little of external or non game related pressure I hope, other than the fact that they'll be carrying the hopes of each country's entire population on their shoulders and I dare say 1.4 billion is a little bit more than what is on the western side. Prakash, thank you very much indeed. Can't wait for it to get Underway tomorrow afternoon UK time 1:30 will be on air just before that as well with our team in Colombo bringing all the news stories, details, action from the Premadassa Stadium. If you want to read, build up preview material and see the best of the action from across the tournament, including England's victory over Scotland, well, the place to do so is the BBC Sport website and app where you can look at the tables, work out the various routes to the Super 8s and everything else. And there's lots more besides, including a special sit down chat with Scotland bowler Brad Curry. Matt Henry learning about his alter ego as a fantasy football expert. Top thousand in the world no less. He's got a big online following so you never quite know who you might be watching playing the cricket and what else they might be doing in life. So do look out for that on the BBC Sport website and app and don't forget to subscribe to the Test Match special on BBC Sounds and you'll find a treasure trove of cricketing content there as well. No Balls the Cricket Podcast all of our interviews from across the Ace and Ashes series. Monday Night Cricket as well from 5 live sports. So much for you to enjoy, so do look out for that on BBC Sounds. Thank you so much for listening to the Test Match Special podcast. We'll speak to you again soon. The TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 live. 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