England Win Toss, Elect To Bowl First Versus Scotland In T20 World Cup Group C Fixture
Harry Brook wins toss and chooses to field first as England aim to strengthen Super 8 qualification chances against Scotland.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bowl first against Scotland in a crucial Group C match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. This high-stakes encounter is a must-win for England, who are placed fourth in the group standings with two points, as they aim to keep their Super 8 qualification hopes alive following a narrow win over Nepal and a defeat to West Indies.
Scotland, led by Richie Berrington, enter the contest in second place in Group C on the same two points but with a superior net run rate bolstered by their commanding 73-run victory over Italy. The match carries added significance as it coincides with the traditional Calcutta Cup rugby clash between the two nations in Edinburgh, adding to the cross-sport rivalry between England and Scotland. Both teams have fielded unchanged XIs, with England relying on their strong bowling attack featuring Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, while Scotland boast experienced openers George Munsey and Michael Jones.
The Eden Gardens pitch, known for its batting-friendly nature and quick outfield, has favored chases in recent matches at the venue, which likely influenced Brook's decision to field first. "We just fancy chasing," Brook said at the toss. "It’s quite a quick outfield and it’s a good wicket." Scotland's familiarity with the conditions—having played their previous two group games here—gives them a slight edge in adapting to the surface.
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Early action saw Scotland's innings begin under the afternoon sun, with Munsey and Jones facing the new ball from Archer and others. The match is a day-night affair, starting at 3:00 PM local time, with England looking to restrict Scotland and leverage their chasing prowess in the pursuit. A strong performance here could propel England back into contention in a tightly packed Group C that also includes West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.
This fixture revives the historic Anglo-Scottish cricket rivalry, with England yet to secure a completed T20I win over Scotland in World Cup history—their previous meeting in 2024 ended in a no-result. With qualification pressure mounting, both sides will be eager to claim a decisive victory and boost their progression prospects in the tournament.
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