Test Match Special - Banton blasts England to victory over Scotland

Episode Date: February 14, 2026

An unbeaten 63 from Tom Banton took England to a 5 wicket win against Scotland. Henry Moeran is joined by former England fast bowler Steven Finn and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon to review the game in Kolkata. We hear from Banton plus the two captains as well as Scotland's Michael Jones and England's Liam Dawson. We also look ahead to the massive India v Pakistan game on Sunday

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Victory for England in Calcutta on Calcutta 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 Jacks 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 line up eventually has just too much and that below par total of 152 all out

from Scotland proved indeed to be just too few runs and in to 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, and there was an outstanding partnership by Scotland that looked as that 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 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 had 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 evening. Yeah, it's been an excellent game of cricket. I think, I think Finney's, you know, summarised 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? They, that's what

they've set out to do. Have we, are we convinced by what we've seen in their, 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, um, 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 peeking at the right time. And I think for England,

Archer and how he bowled will be a massive tick for England. Bantin 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 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 tournament.

However, 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 their first innings, and then in particular, that first power play,

or the only power play, the power play and 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 capitalise with the clear and abundance 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 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, Kirstie,

but there were blips along the way, 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 Bantin'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 he'd aren't 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 Sam Curen. 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 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. 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 on to 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 look 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 to keep practicing but yeah luckily today is my day and it's a change of venue a slightly different surface pitching 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 absolutely suit carnage and I thought it was going to be pretty similar in Mumbai.

But there was a bit of spin and a bit 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 straight. 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 four here for England I mean how much of an adjustment is that for you yeah it's different I think when your match-up comes on you got really try and take it down and yeah keep backing yourself you got to give yourself a chance as well I've kind of learned and look I think the situation kind of dictates how you're gonna bat I think today I could give myself a bit of a chance a good wicket fast-score and

outfield and yeah I only chase a 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 thought Sarah Tom bantan who scored and I'm beaten 63 or 41 as England have beaten Scotland here in Calcutta by five 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 learnt 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 everything fell in place for Scotland. It certainly did. It certainly did.

And those early wickets, that's why even 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's only being one down, then you leave yourself on a good pitch really chasing your tail a little bit. 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 it is really that first power. play that stuffed them. Yeah, I think the worry for Scotland was when we saw that the wickets falling early, Kirstie, and whether they'd be able to recover.

I mean, they did recover nicely. It has to be said with the run scored 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 3 after the power play, that partnership, had to happen. The Bruce and Barrington one was so crucial because unlike England who seemed 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 colcato i think what 50,000 people or jes i just want a little word finney on on the crowd

just shy of 50,000 people to come and witness this between Scotland, England was outstanding. And a lot of Scotland fans in, every time there was a dot ball in the second half of the game, 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 one two lost one 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 for them it's now the position with their final group match against Nepal where they've got to fight away of getting a really significant victory and hoping for some miracles elsewhere, Kirstie. Yeah, the backs are really against it now, but I think, you know, as we've said, they've had a great showing of themselves and with such a limited time to prepare and be on 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 an FAA 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 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 learnt to expect the unexpected in the tournament let's get some reaction from the two captains here's Michael Atherton yes Scotland captain's Richard Barrington 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 Brucey, 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? 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 play that phase of the game really well. Unfortunately, we just didn't quite click in that phase today. 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 move by in different conditions but as I say I think having that partnership through the middle was really good it 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 dropped with the back we still had that belief that if we went out there and executed our best skills 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 keep 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 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 doesn't always go your way. And a significant improvement from Brad Weill tonight, who's been coming back from injury and playing his second game,

looked right back to his best tonight. Yeah, he did. I think he looked like I had 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 say, it's just a few more runs on the board would have been nice to help the ball was out. You're off to Mumbai now. You've had three matches here in Kolkata. Have you enjoyed yourself on him who's a fantastic turnout tonight, 40,000 for this game? Yeah, we've absolutely loved their time here. Obviously, it's been great for us to have three games here. It feels like our Indian home.

We've had 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'd say move on from this one as quick as we can and look forward to that last game against the pole. Good luck in Mumbai. Cheers, thank you. Cheers, Richie.

I'll be well for the rest of the company. 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. 152, 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, they were getting ahead of us at one point, but then we managed to drag it back really well. Geoffra 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 a length beautifully today. He goes his lines and length perfect and bowling gas again and, yeah, with good skills.

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 first two games. Tom Banton, the other one, of course. Yeah, he was awesome, and that's why he's coming, 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 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 there was going to be a decent wiki. 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 then when you get the ball to hit for six, try it for six.

But the band's played it 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 back home and get 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 of the of the of the rise okay well done tonight good luck against Italy tears well thoughts there 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 he's 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's always very brief, isn't it, his first answer. If he agrees with what you're saying, he just says, yeah, we 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 8 for 2 or whatever England were

in the inside the first couple of overs, that they would definitely make it. through but the length of their batting line up and the way 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 sounded 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 2024 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, it was a real turning point of the game after a brilliant innings from him in 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 it's cost them tonight because 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 would expect England to win comfortably most of the time that they play against Scotland. But the Scottish side of time and again risen in these occasions to really cause England problems when they don't play each other often more broadly, I suppose, cause 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, so important and I'm not saying 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 Munsey or Brandon

Mullum, the gap would be quite significant, whereas you look at England's 11 and it's stacked with talent, but of course there are players that are not here on this World Cup that could easily slot into England's team and cause some series damage. So that's probably where I see there being quite a big gulf in the sort of depth of the squads. England speak a lot about the depth they have in their lineup, Stephen, and they bat deep, we know that. But we've also seen contributions in this tournament now from different players which have been encouraging. And Tom Banton's innings was one that was, if not

required, statistically, you know, others could have done the damage tonight. It was required you felt for the conversation around his place and Harry Brooks' position in the line. 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 recognised the opportunity to try and put the boot on the other foot

and try and put Scotland under pressure, he committed to that and he executed perfectly. So I'm really pleased for Tom Banton and the opportunity. 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 quiet and down if you're filling out the england report card we've now had enough of a sample size three matches uh what's been good what needs work on um well i think actually the that's a good question i 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 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 4 or a 6,

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 five or ten percent. Kirsty, which is that 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.

going to need one of those to go big. I think Sam Curran's 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 the tail towards the back end against West Indies. 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 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 IPLs. 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.

of 20 balls and he's been speaking to test match specials Adam Moutford. 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 with the bat that we couldn't get to any 30 40 more runs on there which we probably looked likely to do I would say after the 10 over mark for our readings 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 them 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'd look like getting a really big total. Yeah, no, definitely, yeah. I mean, obviously we lost a couple of wickets early

and then after that, I mean, myself and Richie went nicely up until the back end of the power play. So yeah, I think at the halfway stage, I looked up at the border. We were 90 for three, 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'd say that possibly made the difference in the match? Oh, hugely, yeah. It's obviously such a shame when you get into a really good position, not to sort of follow through and back like we know we can you know Leesky and Crossie and even Wattie, you know, you've got so much power at the back end

so we could have just took it a little bit deeper and you know who knows. It's a shame as well obviously Berra was tight on that on that LBW call and by his call so little things like that 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 it's good. Do you think you might have enough runs? 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 try and get into the scrap as much as we could, which I think we did. We did well.

But ultimately, I think we were probably 2030 light. But then early wickets put the pressure on. When there were a couple down, was there a bit of excitement amongst the team at that point? Massively, yeah, definitely. I think, like Joss and Salty, obviously, such quality players. So, you know, used to seeing them come out and whack the ball to all corners. So, you know, when we had them a couple of wickets down early, and the ball was swinging, you know, they put the lights on.

The ball seemed to be doing a little bit. So even, like, you know, our attack is probably different to what these guys are used to facing, you know, facing 140Ks an hour. And Brando and Bradoff is 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 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 you in Bethel and the captain Harry Brooke and again there was that feeling of a few more nerves in the England batting line up yeah no of course yeah I mean there's such a quality side but it's the only thing you know they've got so many more bats to come.

Jack comes to come in, who opens to batting 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 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, we need another two quick ones.

So it's like, yeah. But the momentum swung in our favor for a minute there. So which was exciting. And the crowd was really up, you know, such an iconic venue. it was loud and we were out there, so it was pretty cool, especially at that time of the game. Shame we didn't, you know, it wasn't even close to what it was, but it's good to take it deep anyway, even with only 150 on the ball.

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, it's 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, here we are,

playing in front of 50,000 people, like taking it to the wire against England. 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're playing in Tom Meyer 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 an associate team, it feels like all the pressure is on England to come and walk this game. I'm not actually walking but definitely to win. And so for me it's like especially knowing the guys is like okay let's see what you can do on the big stage against our guys, it's exciting.

And for me like I get to be able to take on the people that, I mean I haven't played against some of their bowlers an awful lot because a lot of them are in the South group being from from Lanks and Durham before that. But I obviously know of them and played against a few of them before. And obviously no salty, Joss, Luke Wood from Lang's. So yeah, it's just a cool experience. It's nice that like, especially if we had a slightly better half, to come out, get those early wickets and just feel the pressure of

an association, I think, putting it on England. It's pretty cool. And you talk about the pressure big 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 could do. You want to show 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. 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've still got to perform. I think we try and look view it as, you know, 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 excited teams of the tournaments. Nepal, that's been 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 we'll be extremely loud. They've sold out, I think, the second-nosed 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. She scored 33 from 20 balls. The Scotland rule out for 152 in 19.4.

Overs, England, reaching 155 for 5. And winning the game with 10 balls to 6. 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 8s 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 Spinner's 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 obviously knew today. We had to come here and win. I was in a must-win game. So, yeah, not the prettiest of results, but as I said, we've got over the line and we've won again. And in terms of the opposition, was it, what's always more difficult playing a game, a team like Scotland, where you know some of the players and there's that sort of extra rivalry? No, I think they're a very good team. Again, as, you know, all the Associated Nations have showed 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 today was us to get the win and we did that. And their score 150 yards 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 at the halfway stage.

I think they were 90 for three after 10 over. So I think to be 60 for seven in the following 10 was a great effort for us to keep into 150. Was that the most important part of the game in summer? ways the fact that you took those wickets and very much stemmed the flow of their runs and yourself and Adirashu 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 turn the game.

A few nerves at the start of the innings though 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 in this team but I said that the main thing today was to come in win the game and that's what we did was the police for Tom Banton had a bit of a struggle at the start of the tournament hasn't necessarily established himself in this England side that was a fine innings today it's a brilliant innings under pressure I think only two or three years ago he got man in 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 on

the match let's talk about you and your chance to play in this England team in a World Cup it's an amazing story isn't it ten years ago Many years ago, you're in an England squad in a World Cup, and he'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. It's 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, every chance I get to play for England now, I've got to enjoy it at my age. Was there a moment, though, 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 the World Cup winning teams, but not playing yourself. Was there a moment you thought the chance had gone? Yeah, the age you get to, yes, probably, but I was very realistic that those World Cups I was involved with. You have Mone Allie and Adirashid as the two spinners.

So I knew I was back up to them. They're two really, really good bowlers, world class bowler. 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

you know play a few more games and perform and you're grabbing the opportunity you've contributed in every game so far listen I'm never going to do anything amazing but I like to think that 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 can try and be consistent 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're not taking any teams lightly. No, as I said, this competition, all the associate teams have been brilliant so far. 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're gonna three o'clock game again on Monday. So know the conditions a little bit more

and hopefully we can play well and win. And if you do reach that super eight, would your message be the Englander of a very dangerous side? Well, I think that the first and foremost 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's 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, not relief,

but satisfaction. Yeah, well, Harry Brooke mentioned it, didn't he in this post-match interview, that they're kind of scrapping their way through the group and they want to try and peek 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, England will 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 ten, 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 are 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 8th, if they get them.

If they get there, got to play Italy, first of all, here in Calcutta. Stephen, thank you very much. Tomorrow, our focus switches to arguably the biggest game in world cricket, India against Pakistan at the R 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 Arbremadasa Stadium tomorrow Sunday cannot wait for it although I've got Artif Nawaz alongside me as well as World Cup winner Alex Arlene.

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 superates 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-Baghistan 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 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, Sanjou Samson 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 as strong as 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 Pakistan? But the brand of cricket and the style of cricket They're playing at the minute I think at phases throughout the game tomorrow We'll 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 art. This is the game that everybody is watching. You've mentioned the entire Indian type of Dontonon, 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 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 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 Arp Ramadasa in this competition.

Pakistan will also be the R Pramadasa 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. I hope India would love to sweep for the hills. I like to hit sixes. It's been easier to do that on those posting stab grounds in India. The Pramadasas are biggie.

It's the biggest in the tournament. might that prove their downfall? I feel like the Indian buyers can clear or any batterers in this tournament can clear the boundaries. It could be, absolutely could be. We know how important spinners been throughout this competition. Tarek, there's been a lot of eyes on him and his bowling action takes the pace off.

He will pause in the crease and 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 sixies at the game today between Ireland and Oman and that ground isn't much smaller than the one they're playing at 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 of how Pakistan actually will favour

these Sri Lankan pitches, they've got a good spin bowling line up ready for it. We talk about the matchups, but you know what? I reckon tomorrow can be dominated by a handshake. Oh, we're going to get handshakes. It sounds petty, but it's more than that. It's more than symbolic. 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 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. 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 115 our coverage will begin Prakash Makanka 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 Calcutta 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 town here in Calcutta with us. What will it be like for 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 in holiday. Most people will watch it at home. maybe some big screens in clubs and pubs and hotels and so on and so forth. Communities, it's not unheard to have a big screen put up 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 in 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 played, obviously against Pakistan. But I think players on both sides ideally 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 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 Pakistan's success. Yes, I think you have to go back to Dubai, to that one lone success in World Cups that Pakistan have.

And they dearly, dearly would like to try and double that. India, on the other hand, I think, will want to keep that record going to sort of continue to assert their supremacy, at least on a cricket field. Yeah, it's been quite one-sided of late. It must be said. Both sides should still qualify for the super eight, 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 comfortable,

which is why I think it will 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 130 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, an 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 to cricket podcast. All of our interviews from across the Acent Ashes series,

Monday Night Cricket as well from Five 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. If there was a big rent button that would just demolish the internet, I would smash that button with my forehead.

From the BBC, this is The Interface, the show that explores how tech is rewiring your week and your world. This isn't about quarterly earnings or about tech reviews. It's about what technology is actually doing to your work, your politics, your everyday life, and all the bizarre ways people are using the internet. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.