This video can not be played. England avoid upset against Italy to reach Super 8s T20 World Cup, Group C, Kolkata.

England 202-7 (20 overs): Jacks 53* (22), Banton 30 (21); Kalugamage 2-41.

Italy 178 (20 overs): B Manenti 60 (25) Stewart 45 (23); Overton 3-18.

England won by 24 runs. England were given another major fright but held off tournament debutants Italy by 24 runs to secure a place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. After England posted 202-7, Italy threatened to pull off the greatest shock in World Cup history in pursuit – a result which would have left Harry Brook's side facing an embarrassing group-stage exit.

Ben Manenti crashed 60 from 28 balls to take Italy within 89 of victory and, after his wicket became the first of four in quick succession, 31-year-old Grant Stewart thrashed 45 from 25 balls to keep the contest very much alive. Italy needed 30 from the last 12 balls but Sam Curran had Stewart caught at short third.

With 25 runs needed from the last over and two wickets in hand, Jamie Overton wrapped up the innings to leave Italy 178 all out. But it was another unconvincing day for England, who progress after a final-ball win over Nepal, a defeat by West Indies and two nervy wins against Scotland and Italy. Even in making their highest total of the tournament so far, they were not convincing with the bat.

They were 105-5 before Will Jacks hit 53 not out from number seven. It was his first fifty in T20 internationals and, coming in 21 balls, England's quickest at a T20 World Cup.

The result eliminates Italy, whose tournament ends in Mumbai on Thursday against West Indies. England's Super 8 opponents are still to be confirmed but they will play that phase in Sri Lanka, starting on Sunday, and surely must improve to have any chance.

Who needs what to reach T20 World Cup Super 8s? T20 World Cup: England complete nervy victory against Italy to progress - as it happened.

After his side edged past Scotland on Saturday, Brook said he hoped England's progression through the remainder of the tournament would be more straightforward. This was anything but.

Italy have impressed at this World Cup – they beat Nepal last week – but are still the lowest ranked side in the tournament, sandwiched between Malaysia and Qatar. Their chase was made even more remarkable by the fact Jofra Archer took two wickets in the first over.

Manenti came in after the fourth over when his brother, Harry, was caught off Overton and he and Mosca took 25 from the next two overs.

Even after he holed out to Jacks, having taken the off-spinner for two sixes and two fours, Italy kept charging on. Archer was hit for two sixes in the 17th, Adil Rashid three in the 18th. It took Curran, who picked up two in two balls after Manenti's dismissal, to bring some calm in the 18th.

He conceded two wides but otherwise singles and dots before dismissing Stewart. Whether England have simply done what was needed during this group stage or shown little to suggest they can be contenders, probably depends on your level of pessimism. England won – but they did it ugly yet again.

This video can not be played. Jacks hits three boundaries in a row as England add runs.

Jacks' two overs may have cost 34 runs, but he was still England's match-winner. His knock boosted another innings in which the top order failed to fire fully again - even when passing 200.

Jos Buttler was caught for three in the third over, but afterwards Phil Salt crashed 28, Jacob Bethell a composed 23, Tom Banton eased 30, Brook 14 and Curran 25. All five were wasteful. Salt, Bethell and Banton picked out fielders in the deep. Brook and Curran were caught attacking wide balls.

What was encouraging is Jacks' innings came when starting against spin – a perceived weakness. England were 128-5 in the 16th over before a misfield on the cover boundary gifted Jacks a four. It kicked him into life as he hit the next two balls for six and reached his fifty in 21 deliveries in the final over by clearing the ropes for a fourth time.

Italy caught well but were scruffy with their groundfielding, allowing England a few too many. They have offered so much during this World Cup but that is one obvious area they can improve.

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