A significant T20 World Cup match is underway between England and Italy. The stakes are high, with England aiming to advance in the tournament and Italy seeking a surprising victory. The encounter, the 29th match of Group C, is taking place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Match Setup and Key Decisions
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is the backdrop for this contest. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and has elected to bat first against Italy. This decision grants England the immediate advantage of setting a target for their opponents. The match is scheduled as a day-night game, with a local start time of 15:00. This fixture is notable as it marks the first-ever international cricket match between England and Italy.
Teams and Squads
Both teams appear to be fielding largely unchanged lineups from their previous matches.
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England's Playing XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
Italy's Playing XI: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (c), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (wk), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan.
Notable mentions include Harry Brook captaining England and Harry Manenti leading Italy. Reports indicate that Wayne Madsen is still recovering and not at full fitness for Italy.
Tournament Context
England enters this match with a degree of momentum, having secured wins against Nepal and Scotland, though they have also faced a loss against the West Indies. Their performance thus far has been acknowledged as not yet reaching their peak potential by their captain. For Italy, an upset win is crucial to remain competitive in the Super 8 qualification race. The significant difference in ICC T20I rankings, with England at 3 and Italy at 26, underscores the magnitude of a potential Italian victory.
Broadcast and Streaming
The match is being broadcast live in India on the Star Sports Network. For viewers in the USA, Willow TV is the official broadcaster, offering a 24/7 live cricket channel with numerous international fixtures.
Expert Commentary and Analysis
"We were going to bowl anyway," stated Italy's captain, Harry Manenti, after the toss. This suggests a clear strategy from the Italian camp, potentially aiming to leverage their bowling attack early.
England skipper Harry Brook commented on his team's performance, acknowledging honestly that "everybody knows that England haven't played their best cricket." Despite this, he noted his own side is "really confident at the moment."
Match Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Italy, 29th Match, Group C |
| Series | ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | February 16, 2026 |
| Time | 15:00 Local Time (9:30 AM GMT) |
| Toss | England elected to bat |
| Umpires | Chris Brown, Donovan Koch |
| 3rd Umpire | Allahudien Paleker |
| Referee | Ranjan Madugalle |
| Format | T20 International (20-over match) |
Used Sources
ESPNcricinfo: England vs Italy, 29th Match, Group C at Kolkata, February 16, 2026 - Provides live scorecard details, venue, toss information, and match timings.
Cricbuzz: Cricket scorecard - England vs Italy, 29th Match, Group C, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Offers a comprehensive overview including live scores, team squads, venue, and umpire details.
Timesnownews: England vs Italy Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: ENG Opt To Bat Vs ITA; Check Playing XIs - Focuses on the toss result, playing XIs, and mentions the historical significance of the match.
Business Standard: England vs Italy LIVE SCORE, T20 World Cup 2026: Harry wins the toss for England, opts to bat - Details the toss winner, decision, playing elevens, and broadcast information, also highlighting Italy's need for an upset.
The Indian Express: England: 0(0.0) \| ENG vs ITA T20 World Cup - Live Cricket Score, Full Scorecard, Eden Gardens, Kolkata - Reports on team news regarding unchanged lineups and includes captain's quotes on team confidence and performance.
The Times of India: England 0/0 in 0.0 Overs \| England vs Italy Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: England win toss, opt to bat against Italy in Kolkata - Confirms the toss result and decision, and relays comments from both captains about team composition and confidence.
News18: England Vs Italy Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: ENG Win Toss, Opt To Bat First! - Highlights the toss result and provides a quote from the Italian captain regarding his team's bowling preference.
Sportstar: ENG vs ITA LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: England wins toss, opts to bat against Italy; Streaming Info - Lists the full squads for both England and Italy and confirms the toss outcome.
Sky Sports: T20 World Cup, England vs Italy LIVE! Score, updates and video highlights from Monday's Group C game in Kolkata - Provides context on England's potential to secure a Super 8 spot and their past tournament results, along with match timing.
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