At Adelaide Oval on Thursday, merciless England crushed India by 10 wickets to go to the Twenty20 World Cup final. Alex Hales and captain Jos Buttler sparkled in a record unbroken opening partnership.
When England plays Pakistan in the White-Ball Cricket World Cup final on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they will have the chance to become the first team to carry both international trophies as they have already won?the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019.
The victory credit goes?to opener Hales and captain Butler, who rocked a sizable audience of India supporters by successfully chasing down 169 with four overs left.
Hales reached his final score of 86 unbeaten, and Butler, who was unbeaten at 80, clinched the victory convincingly by hitting paceman Mohammed Shami over the head for six.
It was extremely nice for Hales because he missed England’s 2019 victory due to a recreational drug scandal.
His absence from the England setup lasted for more than three years, and Jonny Bairstow’s injury in a golf accident was the only reason he was called up to the squad.
Hales, who has participated in a significant amount of Big Bash League domestic T20 cricket in Australia, stated, “This will be right up there for sure.”
It’s a big deal to play India in the World Cup semifinal, and I’m pleased with my performance. Tonight, is one of the best nights of my career because it’s a special feeling in a country that I love and have spent a lot of time in.
The 170-run stand between the English duo, which was the biggest in the tournament for their team, sets up a tantalizing match against Pakistan, 30 years after their 50-over World Cup final, which Pakistan won in 1992 at the MCG.
Hardik Pandya (63) and Virat Kohli (50) helped the South Asian team bounce back from a sluggish start to post 168 for six after England captain won the toss and elected to send India into bat. Their spinners did well to hamper India early.
It appeared to be a manageable total, but Buttler and Hales smashed England to 63 for no loss at the end of the powerplay and then 98 at the midway point, making quick work of it.