T20 World Cup analysis: Do semi-final bound England deserve more credit?

When England got over the line in nervy fashion against Pakistan on Tuesday, they became the first side to book their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup and avoid what otherwise would have been a tricky must-win encounter with New Zealand in Colombo.

In doing so, they also made it a record fifth consecutive appearance in the last four of this competition – not bad going considering the unpredictable nature of the format and the varied conditions faced – yet the feeling around this England side remains somewhat negative.

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Ashes hangover

Such was the huge disappointment of the highly-anticipated Ashes series this winter, that England and Brendon McCullum desperately needed a positive showing in this tournament – and even that would likely not be anywhere near enough to shift the perception after the dismal failings of the Test side.

Defeat in the first ODI to Sri Lanka did little to lift the mood but only served as a reminder to the disastrous World Cup and Champions Trophy campaigns in subcontinent conditions over recent years.

After surviving a major scare against Nepal in their tournament opener, a comprehensive defeat to West Indies in Mumbai was an eye-opener that England were perhaps going to once again come up short against the Full Member nations, as they did in their 2024 defence.

Victories over Scotland and Italy to ensure progression to the Super Eights were far from convincing, but all that mattered was they got the job done in a high-pressure situation, regardless of their opponents’ ranking.

Catastrophic

There feels an eagerness to bash the England set-up from all corners at every available opportunity after an objectively poor past 12 months, with the catastrophic New Zealand ODI series and Ashes tour firmly shaping the perception that England are far from a serious side across the board.

At the halfway stage against Sri Lanka after posting 146-9, England were virtually written off – the expectation that this side would succumb to spin when it mattered came to fruition – but their bowling was impressive and made the opinions that 170-180 was a par score rather foolish, a reminder if needed to never judge a pitch until both teams have batted on it.

It can be easy to forget that England are now currently on a run of 10 wins in 12 white-ball matches this year, whilst they have remained undefeated in T20I bilateral series since Harry Brook took over as captain last year – though as with the Test side, it is their record against the leading nations which will always be under the microscope.

Preparation

England’s preparations (or lack of) for the Ashes were widely condemned upon announcement, and even more so when, to little surprise, they appeared significantly undercooked at the start of the series in particular.

After initially defending their minimalist ‘in-house’ approach, McCullum later admitted to errors in preparation, and the ECB have since revealed plans to secure a more suitable warm-up in four years’ time.

By contrast, the T20 side entered this tournament on the back of a highly-productive series in Sri Lanka, opposition and conditions they knew they would encounter in the Super 8 stage, thanks to the ICC pre-seeding schedule – the morale-boosting 3-0 whitewash was an impressive bonus.

A bilateral white-ball series is clearly easier to organise than strong Test warm-ups in the modern era, but nevertheless, England have reaped the rewards for suitable preparation, though they will need to show their flexibility as they prepare to return to Kolkata or Mumbai for the semi-finals.

Brook leads from the front

It has been a tumultuous winter for Harry Brook. We have seen some of the very best of him – the majestic 135 one-man show at Mount Maunganui and the sublime 136* off 66 balls against Sri Lanka to secure the ODI series last month.

But a wasteful Ashes series, characterised by a number of reckless dismissals, and the fallout from off-field antics in New Zealand will be most remembered as many questioned if he is the right character to be the white-ball captain – his ‘beer smash’ celebration in the third ODI against Sri Lanka was light-hearted if not a little unnecessary for someone in his position.

His century against Pakistan on Tuesday was nothing short of astonishing, though as he became the first captain ever to score a hundred in the Men’s T20 World Cup and just the third England men’s player to reach three figures across all formats – Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan the other two.

Masterclass

Elevated to no.3 in the order to take advantage of the powerplay, Brook produced a masterclass in destructive hitting but also running between the wickets in his 51-ball innings as England recovered from the loss of early wickets once more to chase 165 and secure qualification for the semi-finals.

It was a knock of the highest class when his team needed it most and evidence why he is so strongly backed by the England setup as the man to lead the limited-overs sides, even if his commitment to playing an aggressive brand of cricket sometimes comes across as a lack of desired brainpower.

Despite a remarkable international record to date, including a Test triple century and T20 World Cup winner’s medal, Brook had perhaps not yet produced his best on the big stage – whether that be an ICC event or Ashes series – but that innings after a lean run in the tournament up to that point was a defining moment in his leadership career.

Flawed but still alive

Still a lot of questions remain around this England side, none more so than at the top of the order, where the destructive duo of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have struggled for form throughout the tournament.

It is unlikely England would change a winning formula and any call to drop their widely-considered greatest ever white-ball player now would certainly be a big one.

It has definitely not felt like we have watched the champions in making yet and England are perhaps a little too comfortable that their scratchy performances with both bat and ball will suddenly all come together in the big moments but they have given themselves a chance which is the most important thing – just look at Sri Lanka who crashed out in home conditions with two dismal batting efforts or Australia who were on a flight back nearly a week ago.

Their triumphs in 2010 and 2022 were not smooth-sailing either to begin with, whilst they saved their most complete team display in the 2019 World Cup for the semi-final stage against Australia at Edgbaston.

England are searching for a complete team performance, but they are a rarity in this format – in truth, any side is capable of winning this tournament on individuals rather than necessarily being the most well-oiled machine.

It has certainly not all been negative either – Sam Curran’s return as a key all-rounder has been crucial, Will Jacks has embraced his role as the designated finisher, whilst Liam Dawson and Jamie Overton have also provided valuable contributions as previously fringe squad members.

Bailed out

The fact that England have been ‘bailed out’ by the likes of Curran, Jacks or Tom Banton at various stages should be considered a strength rather than a weakness that they have a team of match-winners throughout – the prospect of Salt, Buttler or Jacob Bethell still to fire only makes them a more dangerous prospect.

England may have benefitted from a group consisting of three Associate nations and then being placed in theory in the ‘easier’ Super 8s group with three fellow runners-up but so far, we have seen teams slide to comprehensive defeats on tricky surfaces and only South Africa look close to flawless – and even then a different outcome in the lottery of the super over against Afghanistan could have put a very different spin on their group stage outcome.

No doubt there are bigger tests to come for England – the potential of a semi-final clash against the currently undefeated Proteas or tournament favourites India that may prove to be a step too far as it did in 2024.

But many will have predicted a spirited exit at the Super 8s based on their group stage performances and yet they are still standing.

There is no doubt they still need to find another gear or two in order to go all the way, but they possess too much quality to be ruled out of contention.

READ MORE: Tim Southee insists Brendon McCullum feels no pressure after England’s Ashes defeat