Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis help England qualify for Super 8s, Mitchell Marsh retains his place

The England national cricket team has officially qualified for the Super 8 stages of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The Jos Buttler-led side advanced to the next stage of the ICC tournament from the Group B table after Australia beat Scotland in their final league stage match in St Lucia.

Australia defeated Scotland by 5 wickets in a high-scoring encounter at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, June 16 (India time). Scotland set a target of 181 runs after being asked to bat first. The Mitchell Marsh-led team successfully chased down the target with two balls to spare.

Australia was the first team from Group B to advance to the Super 8 stages of the tournament. The Scotland team needed to beat Australia in their final league match to secure a Super 8 berth. Scotland finished with five points to their tally, but their net run rate (NRR) of +1.255 was lower than England's +3.611.

Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head Smash Match-Winning Half-Centuries

Australia was reduced to 60 runs for the loss of three wickets in 8.2 overs. However, Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis helped the team recover. Head scored 68 runs off 49 balls, with the help of five fours and four sixes. Stoinis added 59 off 29 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, to put Australia in a favorable position.

Tim David scored an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls, including three boundaries and one six. David smashed the match-winning shot to guide the Australian team to their fourth consecutive victory in the World Cup. Mark Watt and Safyaan Sharif picked up two wickets each, while Brad Wheal secured one wicket.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood Rested For Final Group Stage Match

The Australia team management rested Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood after securing a Super 8 berth. Scotland scored 180 runs for the loss of five wickets, their highest total in a T20 World Cup match. Brandon McMullen scored 60 runs off 34 balls, including two fours and six maximums, after an early blow.

Ashton Agar dismissed opener Michael Jones for two in the first over but McMullen and George Munsey added an 89-run partnership off 48 balls. Munsey scored 35 runs off 23 balls, including two fours and three sixes. Richie Berrington added an unbeaten 42 from 31 balls to lead Scotland to a total of 180.

Brief Scores:

Australia 186 for 5 (Travis Head 68, Marcus Stoinis 59, Mark Watt 2-34) beat Scotland 180 for 5 (Brandon McMullen 60, Richie Berrington 42*, Maxwell 2-44) by five wickets.

Australia will play their first Super 8 match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, on Thursday, June 20. Meanwhile, England will face the West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, on June 19.

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