USA VS ENG SUPER EIGHT MATCH 9

Right then, that's all from this lop-sided affair. With this outcome, England have sealed a berth in the semis and now, all eyes turn to Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua where West Indies and South Africa will lock horns. The victor of that clash will join England from Group 2 in the semifinals. The game will start at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT), but our build-up will begin much sooner. See you then. Cheers!

Jos Buttler, the victorious captain of England says that they played the USA with a lot of respect. He adds they talked about playing with a lot of intent. Further adds that the spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone bowled really well in tandem and further compounded the pressure created in the powerplay. Also says it is not easy for the batters when these guys are bowling. Mentions that they have got good options with the ball and he felt to bring Chris Jordan to add some batting depth as well. Appreciates him and says that Jordan executed brilliantly with the ball and getting a World Cup hat-trick is always a moment to cherish. On his batting form, he says you don't always get the results but he feels good and confident. Also adds that now he is hitting the ball with intent. Concludes by saying he needed to look at his own game and is happy to contribute.

The captain of the USA, Aaron Jones says that it was a hard game and feels that they weren't as disciplined as they should have been. Tells that they didn't have a good last few games but looking forward to learning from it and delivering in the future. Shares that they enjoyed playing in this tournament. Reckons that their shot selection against Adil Rashid wasn't the best and should have batted smartly against him.

Adil Rashid is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his exceptional bowling figures. He begins by saying that he is delighted with the team's performance. Says all the bowlers did their job to restrict the USA at 115. Adds that you have to assess which end you want to bowl especially when the wind is a factor. Also tells that it was one of those days when the googly came out well and he is happy with the way he bowled. Appreciates Chris Jordan and says that he has been a match-winner and has been doing the job for a number of years now. Also congratulates Chris Jordan and says that coming back and scoring a hat-trick is highly impressive. Also says that Jos Buttler is a world-class player. Ends up saying that he is hopeful to carry down the momentum into the semifinals.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, the USA were dealt an early blow in the form of Andries Gous. Coming in at number 3, Nitish Kumar did not shy away from playing his shots and made the Powerplay count for the USA. Once the field restrictions were lifted, the boundaries became hard to come by for the USA and it got even tougher as Jos Buttler introduced spin from both ends. Just as Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh were beginning to rebuild, Harmeet fell and it all went downhill from there. The USA lost their last 5 wickets in just 6 balls without adding a run to be eventually bowled out for 115. For England, with four wickets in a single over, including a hat-trick, Chris Jordan cleaned up the USA tail, becoming the second bowler at this World Cup to take a hat-trick.

As for the USA, their maiden appearance at a global event has come to an end and despite the manner of defeat in this clash, they will go home with their heads held high. After having a productive Powerplay, they just could not kick on and failed to get out of the rut in the middle phase. This resulted in them managing only 115 on the board, which was never going to be enough against England. They were still hopeful though of putting the defending champions under pressure with a few early wickets. Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh bowled tidy first couple of overs but after that, Jos Buttler went into overdrive and took them apart to all corners of the park.

ENGLAND ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMIS! The defending champions have breezed past the USA and become the first team to book their place in the semifinals of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. With only 116 runs to get, it was a matter of when rather than if for England. Jos Buttler teed off and got off the blocks quickly while Phil Salt was in the backseat during the entirety of the chase. Buttler did not miss a beat and unloaded a real assault on the USA bowlers. Whether it were the pacers or the spinners, Buttler treated all with the same disdain With an unbeaten 38-ball 83, the English skipper has certainly regained his touch, putting him in good stead for the semifinals. As per the on-air commentators, England needed to gun down this target with 18.4 overs or less to qualify but they got the job done in 9.4 overs and with this NRR, they might even finish top of their group, if the West Indies win by a smaller margin

FOUR! Jos Buttler finishes off in style and hits the winning runs! England cruise to the semifinals. And it is the English skipper who has led from the front mercilessly with the bat. Shadley van Schalkwyk bowls it outside off on a fuller length and keeps it away from the batter, Jos Buttler throws the kitchen-sink at it and extends his arms, getting the slice of the willow that guns away through backward point for a boundary.

Keeps it at the stumps, on a length, Phil Salt hits it down to long on for one more run.

Serves it full now, around off, Jos Buttler extends his hands and pushes it to deep extra cover for a single.

Bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Phil Salt swivels and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

SIX! Absolute carnage this! Fifth six of the over! Lands it on a good length, on the stump, Jos Buttler takes his front foot away from the line and punishes it over long on for a six. 32 runs from this over.

WIDE! He is under enormous pressure! Flat and wide of off, beyond the guideline. Wided.

SIX! Merciless destruction! 100 up for England in the 9th over itself. Full and onto the pads this time, Jos Buttler bends low again and this time he slogs it across the line of the ball and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket.

SIX! This is majestic and effortless batting from Jos Buttler. Harmeet Singh serves a juicy half volley on the stumps, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and slams it downtown for the fourth consecutive six.

SIX! Buttler wants this done quickly! Shade short in length, and angling on the off and middle, Jos Buttler bends low, and transfers his weight on the back foot and pulls it well over deep square leg for another six.