India vs England: T20 World Cup semi-final updates from Guyana – live

The weather in Guyana has been a key talking point ahead of the match. There are an extra 250 minutes allocated for the semi-final but no reserve day.

Ian Ward is one of the commentators, and he posted this an hour or so ago:

Tour groups were unable to sell packages with any confidence given the short turnaround time and several opted out entirely, instead focusing on the earlier rounds and late offers for the final in Barbados.

With stark travel advice for Guyana warning of high levels of violent crime and with hotel capacity severely stretched, it would be a surprise to see more than a sprinkling of England fans in the stands.

The same cannot be said for their opponents, as a large Indian diaspora prepares to turn out in force. India have also been aided by a longstanding guarantee that they would play in Guyana if they reached the final four, a certainty no other side at the tournament was offered.

It is a clear and regrettable discrepancy in a World Cup that strives for competitive balance but one that is understood to exist to satisfy the lucrative Indian television market.

There is also set to be a notable lack of English-based reporters on site. While former England captains Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and Morgan all flew from Barbados with the team as part of their duties with the International Cricket Council’s official commentary team, a lack of commercial flights and accommodation has kept most other journalists grounded.

“Rash is experienced and he just adapts to conditions really well,” said Moeen.

“He knows his game now and he’s just proper at the moment, confident. He’s been unbelievable. He’s in some of the form of his life at the moment and just enjoying it. That’s great to see and it’s what we need. You can expect some sort of spin and a toughish wicket.”

Moeen’s off-breaks are likely to be another key part of the England game plan, Liam Livingstone offers further variation and there could be an outside chance for Will Jacks to return as a spin-bowling all-rounder and six-hitting option.

The England team traditionally attract plenty of followers on their travels, with committed touring supporters and a reliably large media presence, but that is set to change for their visit to the outer reaches of South America.

Moeen Ali, one of eight squad members to play in the match, said: “That was a great day and a great performance.

“We were clinical in our planning and preparation. We took the game on and were unbelievable with the bat but we set the game up with the ball.

“India have looked very, very strong this year, like they did at the last World Cup, and they’re just a brilliant side. They’ve got everything covered, so we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them. I’m looking forward to it… it’s nice to be here when you’re two games from winning a World Cup.”

If the pitch at the Providence Stadium does assist slow bowlers, as expected, India will become even stronger favourites with a varied spin attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal.

But England have their own ace in the pack in the form of leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who has hit top form at the tournament and boasts nine wickets with an excellent economy rate of 6.70. In three crunch fixtures against the West Indies, South Africa and United States in the Super 8s stage, he sent down 12 overs and took combined figures of four for 54.

England will hope history repeats itself when they take on world number ones India in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup, calling on memories of a triumphant night in Adelaide.

The two teams met at the same stage of the competition when it when it was held in Australia in 2022, with the eventual champions producing a stunning 10-wicket victory as captain Jos Buttler and Alex Hales shared an unbeaten stand of 170.

Against an India side who have won 12 of their last 13 T20s, on a notoriously tricky Guyana pitch renowned for taking spin, England will need to harness all the confidence they can. And where better to look than a game which stands as their most impressive display since former skipper Eoin Morgan retired two years ago.

India got the better of England in their Super 8s meeting at the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, which they would go on to win.

After Virender Sehwag (68) and Gautam Gambhir (58) got the innings off to a flying start, Yuvraj Singh stepped on the gas as the left-hander smashed the fastest T20 international half-century in just 12 balls, hitting Stuart Broad for six sixes off the 19th over as India racked up 218-4.

England were always going to be up against it and, although Vikram Solanki offered hope with his 43, India closed out an 18-run victory.

England took on India in the Super 8s in a day/night game at the home of cricket, needing a positive result after losing their opening fixture of the second group stage to South Africa at Trent Bridge.

Kevin Pietersen hit 46 to help England make 153 for seven. Yusuf Pathan fronted the reply with 33, but needing 19 off the final over India came up just three runs short as Ryan Sidebottom closed out a nail-biting England win.

England slumped to their lowest international T20 score when they were soundly beaten by India in the opening group stage of the 2012 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

After being put into bat, India made 170-4, with Rohit Sharma knocking out a swift unbeaten 55. England were soon lurching towards a heavy defeat as off-spinner Harbhajan Singh ripped through the middle order with4-12 to help skittle out Andy Flower’s side for just 80 runs.

England fans do not have to think back too far for the last time they faced India for a place in the final of the T20 World Cup – November 2022.

India batted first at the Adelaide Oval, posting 168 with half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. However, a blistering unbeaten opening partnership from Jos Buttler (86) and Alex Hales (80) saw England coast towards an impressive 10-wicket win with four overs remaining, before going on to beat Pakistan in the final.

South Africa are through to their first T20 World Cup final to finally break one of sport’s most persistent curses after a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Tarouba.

On an unruly pitch, the Afghanistan batters could do little against a rampaging Proteas’ bowling attack as Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen took three wickets each to enable South Africa to finally put an end to their run of seven straight semi-final exits in World Cup competitions.

Speaking to the BBC following the win, Proteas captain Aiden Markram insisted his side wouldn’t be scared as they break new ground.

“This is as tough as it gets really,” he said. “One more step, it’s an exciting challenge for us. We’ve never been there before but it’s nothing to be scared of. It’s an opportunity that we’ve never had and we’ll be really excited about it.

“We feel we’ve been playing really good cricket for a couple of years now, have some world-class players in the group and it takes a full squad to put together a really good cricket game. Obviously there are external pressures but we’re trying to keep it simple and that should give us a good chance.”