As the T20 World Cup heats up, holders England face co-hosts USA in a crucial Super Eights fixture at the Kensington Oval Stadium in Barbados on Sunday. 

Both teams have different stakes in this match, with England likely to go all out, aiming for a comprehensive win to boost their net run rate and secure their place in the semi-finals, while USA will be looking to upset the odds and conclude their fairytale World Cup journey.

England enter the match with a mix of urgency and optimism. Their recent game against South Africa saw them fall short by seven runs, but a valiant 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket by Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone was instrumental in keeping England's semi-final hopes alive.

With the West Indies' dominant win over USA, England find themselves third in Group Two, tied with the Men in Maroon on points but way behind on net run rate – 0.412 compared to 1.814. For England to secure a semi-final spot, a win against the USA is crucial, especially if group leaders South Africa, on four points with a net run rate of 0.625, lose to the West Indies.

One of the tournament's surprise packages, USA have showcased their potential on the world stage. Despite a recent nine-wicket loss to the West Indies, they have demonstrated exceptional performances, including victories over Pakistan and Canada. 

USA's journey in the T20 World Cup has been a testament to their growth as an Associate nation. Captain Aaron Jones said, "Over the last couple of weeks, starting from winning the series against Bangladesh [prior to the T20 World Cup], it really opened the eyes of everybody."

As both teams take the field, fans can expect an exciting clash that encapsulates the spirit and unpredictability of T20 cricket.