Jordan grabs hat-trick as England seal semi spot
Barbados-born fast bowler Chris Jordan grabbed a hat-trick to help England to a crushing ten-wicket victory over United States and confirm their place in the semi-finals of the International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup.
Jordan claimed three wickets in successive balls in the penultimate over as England limited their opponents to 115 in 18.5 overs in their final match of the Super Eight stage at Kensington Oval today.
Captain Jos Buttler then made light work of the target with a whirlwind unbeaten 83 off 38 balls to lift England to their target in only 9.4 overs.
It was England’s second win in Group 2, putting them level on points with South Africa and they moved top of the standings on account of a better net run-rate.
Defending champions England became the first team to qualify team to qualify for the semi-finals ahead of the final Group 2 match between West Indies and South Africa in Antigua tonight.
The 35-year-old Jordan finished with four for ten from 2.5 overs and became the first England player to capture a hat-trick in a T20 International.
All four wickets came in the same over. He removed former New Zealand international Corey Anderson with the help of a catch at long-on from the first ball of the over before collecting his hat-trick with the third, fourth and fifth balls.
The first victim of the hat-trick Ali Khan chopped a bowl into the stumps while the second, Nosthush Kenjige, was lbw hitting across the line. The big moment for Jordan came when last man Saurabh Netravalkar was bowled as he backed away slightly.
England needed to achieve their target in 18.4 overs to confirm their semi-final place and in 10.5 overs to put their net run-rate higher than West Indies.
They wasted no time in going after the United States’ attack as Buttler was devastating in launching seven fixes and six fours, while Phil Salt kept him company in an unbeaten 25 off 21 balls. (HG)
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