England face India inspired by Kohli

ADELAIDE. — England go into a blockbuster semi-final clash with red-hot India at the ICC Men’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup tomorrow high on confidence after Ben Stokes’s batting heroics.

The Adelaide Oval is expected to be sold out for a clash of the titans between the two top-ranked T20 teams in the world.

Jos Buttler’s second-ranked England, the reigning 50-over world champions are gaining momentum after a lessthan convincing win over Afghanistan, a shock defeat to Ireland in a rain-hit match and a washout against Australia left them having to win their final two Super 12 matches.

They outplayed New Zealand before an unbeaten 42 by Test captain Stokes, whose selection for the T20 team had come under fire, ensured a tense win over Sri Lanka to secure a semi-final berth.

“I know people have questioned his place in the team but when you need him he stands up,” said pace bowler Mark Wood of the allrounder.

“Ben never looked fazed or anything like that because he has been there and done it. You think he is under pressure but he takes it in his stride.”

Buttler said Stokes “can play a lot of roles” after the England talisman, who guided them to ODI World Cup success in a nerve-shredding 2019 final, stayed calm during a collapse while chasing 142 in Sydney to drive his team across the line with two balls to spare.

Buttler and Alex Hales have been able to get England off to great starts and both hit half-centuries as the pair amassed an 81-run opening stand in 10 overs against a New Zealand attack led by Tim Southee and Trent Boult. —