Banton blitz lifts England past Scotland in T20 World Cup

England beat Scotland by five wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday to move up to second in Group C thanks to Tom Banton's unbeaten half-century at Eden Gardens.

Chasing 153 for victory, Banton's 63 off 41 deliveries guided England over the line after Scotland made early inroads into their top order.

England won the toss and elected to field, with pacer Jofra Archer picking up two wickets in his second over to dismiss George Munsey and Brandon McMullen while Michael Jones fell in the powerplay for a quickfire 33.

Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce (24) steadied the ship with a 71-run stand, a measured counter-offensive that targeted the spinners and increased the run rate to nine per over.

Both fell in quick succession, however, with Berrington out one run short of what would have been a hard-earned fifty when he was trapped lbw by Adil Rashid (3-36).

From a relatively comfortable 113-3, Scotland stumbled into disarray as the duo's wickets triggered another collapse but Oliver Davidson offered a final flicker of resistance with an unbeaten 20 that took Scotland to 152 all out.

DISASTROUS START FOR ENGLAND

England's chase got off to a poor start when the explosive Phil Salt fell to the third ball of the innings and fellow opener Jos Buttler was dismissed in the second over.

Banton and Jacob Bethell (32) shared a 66-run stand but Scotland struck twice once again when Bethell and captain Harry Brook (four) attempted to play the sweep shot and were caught.

That brought Sam Curran to the crease and he eased the pressure with a knock of 28 before he fell skying a Brad Wheal delivery to wicketkeeper Matthew Cross, but Will Jacks (16 not out) finished the chase in the penultimate over with the game's biggest six and a four.