KOLKATA – England secured their spot in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a 24-run victory over Italy, but captain Harry Brook isn’t celebrating just yet. Despite the win, Brook admitted his team is far from peaking, highlighting ongoing concerns about their batting consistency.
In the post-match presentation, Brook was candid about the performance. ‘We haven’t played our best cricket, but we’ve managed to get through to the next round,’ he said. ‘We’re happy about that, at least.’
England posted 202/7 after batting first, with Will Jacks anchoring the innings with an unbeaten half-century. Yet, Brook pointed out that the batting unit has struggled to fire consistently throughout the group stage. ‘We’ve not scored as many as we’d like as a batting group, but that’s T20 for you,’ he noted.
Emphasizing the format’s unpredictability, Brook stressed the need for relentless intent. ‘One day you’re smashing a hundred, the next you’re out first ball. We just have to keep showing courage and back our options.’
Brook reserved special praise for the death bowling, particularly Sam Curran, whose timely breakthroughs sealed the win. ‘Our fielding was sharp, and the bowling was solid. Sammy and Jamie were brilliant in the death overs. He’s been outstanding throughout the tournament.’
Jacks’ resilience in tough conditions also earned plaudits. While England scraped through, these standout efforts provide hope as they head into the Super 8s. The captain’s honesty signals a team determined to elevate their game when it matters most.