We continue our journey into the past and reminisce about the T20 World Cup champions of the previous editions, as the tournament will have its ninth edition starting from June 1.
After revisiting historic triumphs by India and Pakistan in the first two editions, we now dive into the T20 World Cup 2010, which was hosted by this year’s host as well- West Indies. The champions? England. This is the story of England’s first major ICC trophy success.
Group Stage:
England side led by Paul Collingwood were placed in Group D alongside the hosts West Indies and neighbours Ireland.
Both of their group games were rain affected and left England with little to no idea of how their team would perform. The opening game against West Indies saw England score an impressive 191 runs in 20 overs led by Eoin Morgan’s 55 off 35 balls. Luke Wright also scored at fiery pace notching 45 off just 27 balls.
However, persistent rain meant, West Indies were given a target of 60 runs in 6 overs. West Indies got off to a flyer thanks to Chris Gayle. By the time he was dismissed in third ball of the fourth over, the hosts had already scored 41 runs and then Kieron Pollard fell as well for one run. But Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Andre Fletcher took the hosts home with one ball to spare.
After this disappointment, England found themselves in real danger against Ireland. Being put to bat first, the English batsmen struggled with only Morgan’s 45 runs helping them to get to 120, a score well below par. As Ireland began their chase, the lost Paul Stirling in the second over, and were 14/1, when rain came.
The match was eventually abandoned, with England going through on NRR, due to Ireland’s poor performance against West Indies in the first game, where they were all-out for 68.
Super 8s:
England began the Super 8s by beating a strong Pakistan side by 6 wickets during a chase of 148. Kevin Pietersen scored 73 off 52 balls to help his side cruise through.
South Africa were next to be humbled. After putting up 168/7 in 20 overs, the bowling attack led by Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann dismissed the Proteas for just 129 runs, with both bowlers picking up 3 wickets each. The last game against New Zealand, saw England complete a clean sweep, when they won a tight game chasing 150 runs by 3 wickets.
With this England made it to the semis and were growing in confidence.
Semi-Finals:
England had a semi final date with Sri Lanka, who had reached the final of the previous edition. Deciding to bat first, Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets for just 26 runs before Angelo Mathews’ 58 salvaged some pride and they ended up with 128/6.
This total was never going to be enough for an English side peaking at the right moment. Openers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb set the tone with a 68-run stand and Pietersen scored 42 off just 26 balls to take England home with four overs and 7 wickets to spare and a first ICC tournament final since 2004.
Final:
Fittingly, standing in England’s way of a first major ICC trophy were arch-rivals Australia. The Aussies had come out of nowhere to beat Pakistan in the semis and were even regarded as slight favorites given their big match experience.
After winning the toss, Collingwood asked Michael Clarke’s side to bat first. Both the Aussie openers were sent back in the first two overs and with Brad Haddin’s wicket in the third over, they were down to 8/3. Clarke and David Hussey then steadied the ship, before the captain was dismissed by Graeme Swann in the 10th over.
Hussey then forged a 50-run stand with Cameron White, who scored a quick fire 30 off 19 balls to push the run rate. Luke Wright then provided the breakthrough with White’s wicket in the 16th over, but a cameo by Michael Hussey (17 off 10) and David Hussey’s 50 meant, Australia finished with 147/6.
England’s quest for a first world title began badly when Michael Lumb was out in the second over for just 2 runs with the only seven runs on the board. It seemed the occasion might get to England, however, the script was flipped on its head.
Kevin Pietersen joined Kieswetter in the middle and together they scored at a brisk rate after seeing out a few overs. They played the Australian bowlers all over the park and soon Clarke’s men were running out of ideas and runs. Pietersen and Kieswetter forged a 111-run stand in just 11 overs, taking the game out of their nemesis’ hands completely, with the score 118/1 at the end of 13 overs.
Even though both batters departed in quick succession, captain Paul Collingwood and future captain Eoin Morgan made light work of the remaining chase and were done with three overs to go. Coming into the tournament as rank outsiders, Paul Collingwood and his men had scripted history. The historic and proud English cricket fraternity finally had an ICC trophy in their cabinet.
Sherjeel Malik is the editor at FanHaat with a writing experience in multiple sports. He oversees the editorial and content coverage at FanHaat and writes often around combat sports, football and other marquee sports. A professional highlight of his career was when WWE’s Paul Heyman shared one of his articles on his social media.
Apart from writing, editing and watching sports, he likes to indulge in reading fiction, watching war documentaries and is a fan of Liverpool FC
