England have defeated Namibia by 41 runs in a rain-hit game of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda.
The defending champions restricted the Eagles to 84/3 after scoring 122/5. Namibia had to chase adjusted target of 126 due to DLS method.
Earlier, England were put into bat first by Namibia.
The match was reduced to 11 overs per side due to rain and it started after three hours. There was an interruption again during the eighth over with match being reduced to 10 overs per side.
England were hit by the early dismissals of skipper Jos Buttler (0) and Phil Salt (11) due to great bowling.
However, the innings was stabilised by Jonny Bairstow, who came at number three while Harry Brook and played till the end.
The pressure exerted at the start by the Namibian bowlers was relieved by this duo as they continued to score runs freely. They put up a 56-run partnership off 30 balls.
Bairstow departed after scoring 18-ball 31, powered by three fours and two sixes.
Brook and Moeen Ali executed their power hitting in the final overs. Moeen, the vice-captain made 6-ball 16 while Liam Livingstone 3-ball 12.
Brook remained unbeaten on 20-ball 47. He slammed six boundaries.
Ruben Trumpelmann ended up as best bowler for Namibia, bagging figures of 2/31 but it was David Wiese who was highly economical at the start with figures of 1/6.
Michael van Lingen and Nikolaas Davin couldn't match the par score in the run chase and only managed to add 43 runs in the first six overs. Davin (16 off 18) retired and Wiese partnered with Van Lingen.
The duo executed their strokeplay but couldn't get near the target. Van Lingen made 29-ball 33 while Wiese scored 12-ball 27.
Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer took a wicket each for England.
England now have points after four games and have a Net Run Rate of +3.611. They are second on the points table of Group B with Australia at top, who have already qualified for the Super 8.
Meanwhile, Scotland have also same number of points and they will play Australia later today in their last group fixture. A win will put them above both the teams and they will qualify.
