IT WAS TON WHILE IT LASTED

Jacob's cracker can't get England into final

- FROM DAVID CHARLESWORTH

ENGLAND were unable to pull another rabbit out of the hat at the T20 World Cup despite Jacob Bethell's astonishing century as defending champions India crept into Sunday's final.

Having got out of several tight situations to reach the semifinals, England were seemingly out for the count after India piled up 253-7, with 19 sixes and 18 fours, on a batter's paradise in Mumbai.

It is the highest total England have conceded in a T20, but their resilience has been in ample supply in recent weeks and despite slipping to 95-4, Bethell kept them firmly in contention.

They were ahead of India at the same stage after 17 overs but some nerveless death bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya left Bethell with too much to do as England lost by seven runs, with the conquerors setting up a showpiece showdown against New Zealand.

Bethell, who joined Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan and Harry Brook as English men's centurions in all three formats, clubbed eight fours and seven sixes but England were ultimately outmuscled by India in a third successive T20 World Cup semifinal between the teams.