An unbeaten fifty by Will Jacks and three-wicket hauls for Sam Curran and Jamie Overton steered England to a nervy 24-run win over Italy in the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday, as the twice champions progressed to the Super Eight stage.

Player of the match Jacks hammered 53 off 22 balls to help England score 88 runs in the last six overs and post 202-7, their highest total of the tournament.

Italy’s Ben Manenti struck a rapid 60 to keep the T20 World Cup debutants in the game, but their efforts to pull off a huge upset all but ended when Curran dismissed Grant Stewart for 45 in the 19th over and they were all out for 178.

“A lot of the associates have put pressure on the big nations and that’s exciting. We had no right to, really. Good for the game with 20 teams in the competition,” said Italy captain Harry Manenti.

Batting first, England’s Phil Salt (28 off 15) and Tom Banton (30 off 21) made starts but the latter was caught trying to hit Crishan Kalugamage for six in the 13th over, making way for Jacks at a precarious 105-5.

Jacks hit four sixes and three fours to get England to a commanding total, aided by Curran (25 off 19).

—Reuters—