England lost to West Indies in their second game of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday, conceding a 30-run defeat to slip out of the Super Eights qualification positions in Group C.
England are now behind West Indies and Scotland, both of whom have also played two games, with their current net run rate the second worst in the group. Here's how their chances of making it through to the next stage stand.
Match 15, England vs West Indies
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How does defeat to West Indies affect England's Super Eight qualification chances?
England have two matches left in the group stage. They will face Scotland on Saturday before completing their match allocation against Italy two days later. The maximum number of points they can now reach from those matches is six.
West Indies have Nepal and Italy left to face, and while they are expected to beat both, as seen already in this tournament, hammering Associates isn't a given. Nepal beat West Indies in a T20I series five months ago, albeit with West Indies turning out a weakened side. If West Indies beat both Italy and Nepal, they will be through on eight points.
Scotland are the only other team in the group currently with points on the board. They lost to West Indies in their opening match, before walloping Italy in their second and giving their NRR a boost as a result. If England beat Scotland on Saturday, and go on to beat Italy, Scotland won't be able to match their points tally. However, if England lose to Scotland, and Scotland beat Nepal, that will put Scotland through ahead of England.
Nepal present an interesting challenge. While England came out on top in the end in their encounter, their slim margin of victory may yet still give Nepal the upper hand in the end. Nepal will play Italy tomorrow, a match they are expected to win. If they go on to beat West Indies, that will take them to four points. Beating Scotland would then bring them to six points, equal with both West Indies and England if they both beat Italy and England beat Scotland. Then, qualification will depend on NRR.
West Indies currently have the best net run rate in Group C, with Nepal and Scotland also both boasting superior NRR's to England. After two close results, securing big margins of victory in their final two matches could be crucial to fending off a late challenge from Nepal.
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