Alex Hales and captain Jos Buttler’s record-breaking opening partnership saw ruthless England beat India by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday to enter the final of the Twenty20 World Cup.
England, who won the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019, can now become the first team to win both global trophies in white-ball cricket when they take on Pakistan in Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
They have reinstated opener Hales and captain Buttler to thank as the pair chase down a target of 169 for victory with four overs to spare, silencing a large crowd of Indian supporters.
Hales scored an unbeaten 86 off 47 balls and Buttler, unbeaten on 80 off 49 balls, completed the victory statement in style with a six off fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
“It definitely feels like (a perfect game) against a high-quality opponent,” Butler said.
“We were very excited and there was a good feeling around the group … I thought everyone, from one to 11, stood up today.”
After Buttler won the toss and came into bat, Rohit Sharma’s India made a slow start against tough English bowling and Hardik Pandya (63) and Virat Kohli (50) managed to defend it as they made it to 168 for the loss of six wickets.
The total looked a little below par and Hales and Buttler looked to be fumbling early as they got to work, the pair hitting 23 boundaries between them.
Their 170-run partnership was the largest opening partnership in T20 World Cup history and England’s largest for any wicket in the tournament.