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T20 World Cup 2021 | Mark Wood expects England to benefit from 'bump' against South Africa

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In the 14-year-long history of the T20 World Cup, no side has ever won a championship unbeaten and hence, it was argued that the Eoin Morgan-led England were in for a loss somewhere in the Super 12 stage.

They have been the best team of the tournament so far but they suffered a loss at the hands of South Africa who showed more firepower with the bat and incisiveness with the ball.

South Africa batsmen were cautious at the start and did not throw their wickets in the powerplay, something that has been touted as England's biggest strength with the ball so far in the tournament.

England pacer Mark Wood has emphasised exactly that point after their loss against SA and has argued that this should keep England grounded in the tournament. He said that although England would have loved to win all their games, the loss against would not come as a big setback. Instead, the defeat that he referred to as “bump” will compel England to iron out whatever chinks they have in their armour.

"South Africa played really well - they only lost two wickets and we're not used to that - we're used to getting wickets in the powerplay and controlling the game from there. We were maybe off the pace, so we've got to work on things in training and be better next game. It's nice to be back, but it's better when you win."

"It's a shame we've lost the game, that brings us down to earth with a bit of a bump," said Wood. "It keeps us grounded and we know we've got some stuff to work on. You never want to lose. We're not used to losing and usually when we do, we bounce back well. I think it's just a lesson that we've got plenty to work on.

England are through to the semi-finals and will wait for the game between New Zealand and Afghanistan to end to find out who will their opponent be in the semi-final.

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T20 World Cup | Advantage New Zealand as Afghanistan struggle against Kiwi pacers

Afghanistan look in a spot of bother after the end of the powerplay in their Super 12 clash against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 7 November. The blue brigade lost three wickets, scoring just 23 runs in the first six overs. New Zealand pacers were all over the Afghan batting lineup with their short bowling ploy and didn’t let the openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad settle in. Adam Milne removed Shahzad in the third over for just 4 runs off 11 balls. In the very next over, Trent Boult removed Zazai, getting him caught at short mid-wicket. The pace trio wasn't done yet as after picking up two wickets in the first four overs, Southee came back to get Rahmanullah Gurbaz plumb in front of the wickets to push the Afghani top order out of the equation. At the time of writing this, Gulabadin Naiband Najeebullah Zadran were batting at 10 and 6 respectively with the Afghan total at 36-3 at the end of the 8th over. This is a do or die game for both teams. While New Zealand will qualify for the semi-finals with a meagre win, Afghanistan would require a big win to bolster their net run rate. However, on Afghanistan’s win ride the hopes of India, because if Afghanistan win, New Zealand will be stranded at six points and India can reach six points by beating Namibia in their last game. And with a superior run-rate, the Men in Blue have great chances of qualifying to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.Afghanistan look in a spot of bother after the end of the powerplay in their Super 12 clash against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, 7 November. The blue brigade lost three wickets, scoring just 23 runs in the first six overs. New Zealand pacers were all over the Afghan batting lineup with their short bowling ploy and didn’t let the openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad settle in. Adam Milne removed Shahzad in the third over for just 4 runs off 11 balls. In the very next over, Trent Boult removed Zazai, getting him caught at short mid-wicket. The pace trio wasn't done yet as after picking up two wickets in the first four overs, Southee came back to get Rahmanullah Gurbaz plumb in front of the wickets to push the Afghani top order out of the equation. At the time of writing this, Gulabadin Naiband Najeebullah Zadran were batting at 10 and 6 respectively with the Afghan total at 36-3 at the end of the 8th over. This is a do or die game for both teams. While New Zealand will qualify for the semi-finals with a meagre win, Afghanistan would require a big win to bolster their net run rate. However, on Afghanistan’s win ride the hopes of India, because if Afghanistan win, New Zealand will be stranded at six points and India can reach six points by beating Namibia in their last game. And with a superior run-rate, the Men in Blue have great chances of qualifying to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.

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Eoin Morgan refuses to assume, but Jason Roy's World Cup may well be over after calf injury

England skipper Eoin Morgan has confirmed the nature of Jason Roy’s injury that he picked up in the team’s last Super 12 game against South Africa. Roy was running for a comfortable single when he picked up the injury and hobbled back off the ground taking help from the team physio and his teammates Tom Curran. Morgan confirmed it was calf injury but ruled out making any assumptions about the extent of it and his possible return to full fitness. He said that Roy will be sent to scans before making any assessment and while England will be hoping to get him back for the big games ahead, he won’t be rushed back and risked with the injury. "It's his calf. It obviously didn't look great. And we'll wait until tomorrow to see what his movement is like. Probably send him for a scan and then go from there. Apart from that, can't tell you much." "It's difficult to assume. Obviously, we're all hopeful that he comes through in some manner or there's some remedy to get him through one, if not two games. But we need to do what's best for Jason ultimately and then the team," Morgan added. Roy was very emotional while physio was trying to get him up on his feet and he was seen in tears while sitting in the dugout. He could well be ruled out of the remainder of the tournament and a sheer disappointment was written all over his face. Morgan hailed Roy as “unbelievably important” part of England white-ball sides that have gone on to become ODI World Cup champions two years back. He said that Roy has been phenomenal with the bat and sets the tone for how all England batsmen should bat at the top of the order although he has different set of partners at the top of the order. "He's unbelievably important," Morgan said. “He's a guy that epitomises everything that we are about in the changing room and the way that we play. You see how commanding he is at the top of the order, not only in T20 cricket but 50-over cricket as well. Obviously two different partners in the two formats. But yeah, he's as close as we get to surmising how the changing room should play," he further added. England suffered their first defeat of the tournament against South Africa but their dominant performances in the first part of the tournament made sure they were well within the reach of qualifying for semi-finals. They will now wait to see who among India, Afghanistan and New Zealand will be their next opponent in the semi-final.