There is no denying the fact that England have become a force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket. Over the last couple of years, England have been dominating in world cricket, especially in T20 cricket. They whitewashed South Africa 3-0 in their own backyard in the recently concluded T20 series. The last time England lost a T20 series was back in 2018 when they suffered 2-1 defeat against India. England won against Sri Lanka, West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in the last couple of years in T20 international series.
In most of these victories, the batsmen have fired in unison and built strong partnerships. England have perhaps mastered the art of building partnerships in T20 cricket. Their batsmen make sure once they get set they don’t they don’t lose their wicket easily and build big partnerships. There have been numerous instances when we have witnessed English batsmen fire in unison and take the game away from the opposition.
On that note, we look at 5 highest partnerships for England in T20 cricket:
- Michael Lumb and Alex Hales: 143 runs against New Zealand in 2013:
The third T20 international between New Zealand and England in 2013 saw the former notching a below-par total of 139 runs in the first innings. What followed was a sensational unbeaten 143-run opening stand between Michael Lumb and Alex Hales. M Lumb amassed 53 runs off 34 balls, while A Hales notched 80 runs off 42 balls as the duo helped England cruise to a 10-victory in just 12.4 overs. The 143-run stand between Hales and Lumb is the fifth-highest in T20s for England.
- Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan: 152 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014
The 22nd match of the 2014 T20 World Cup saw England hunt down a massive 190-run total set by Sri Lanka, thanks to a sensational hundred from Alex Hales. Chasing 190, England were in all sorts of trouble, having lost their first two wickets without a single run on the board. However, skipper Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales then led England recovery and put together a 152-run stand for the third wicket. Alex Hales notched 116 runs off 64 balls, while Eoin Morgan scored 57 runs off 38 balls as England chased down the total in 19.2 overs.
- Alex Hales and Ravi Bopara: 159 runs against West Indies in 2012
Alex Hales, once again, features in the list of the highest partnerships for England in T20s. He put on a 159-run stand with Ravi Bopara against West Indies in a T20 match in 2012, which is also the third-highest partnership for England in T20s.
In pursuit of the 172-run total, Alex Hales led England’s run-chase with a fine 99-run knock off 68 balls. Ravi Bopara too supported him brilliantly with a 59-run knock off 44 balls. The duo put on a 159-run stand for the second wicket, helping England chase down the total in 19.4 overs.
- Jos Buttler and David Malan: 167 runs against South Africa in 2020
The recently concluded third T20 international between South Africa and England saw Jos Buttler and David Malan put together the second-highest partnership for England in T20s. South Africa notched a formidable 190-run total in the first inning and England lost Jason Roy early in the run-chase.
To the delight of England fans, England didn’t lose a single wicket after that as Buttler and Malan put together a sensational 167-run stand for the second wicket. David Malan scored an unbeaten 99-run knock, while Buttler scored 67 off 46 balls as the duo steered England to a 9-wicket victory and thereby take the series 3-0.
- David Malan and Eoin Morgan: 182 runs against New Zealand in 2019
England skipper, Eoin Morgan and David Malan hold the record for the highest partnership in T20s for England. The duo put on a massive 182-run partnership for the third wicket in the 4th T20 against New Zealand in Napier. Malan notched 103 runs off 51 balls, while Morgan amassed 91 runs off 41 balls as England notched a massive 241-run total in the first innings. New Zealand, in reply, bundled out for just 165.
