XtraTime Web Desk: After failing to cross the last hurdle on previous four occasions, England cricket team finally created history by winning its first major title on world stage. Paul Collingwood and his team defeated Australia by 7 wickets to be crowned 2010 World T20 champions at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on May 16, 2010.


England started the tournament on a disastrous note, losing to West Indies in the first match via Duckworth-Lewis method. Paul Collingwood’s team was in danger of getting knocked out as the next game against Ireland was abandoned due to rain. But a slight better net run rate helped the English side to qualify for the Super Eights stages.


England was placed alongside Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand in the Super Eights. They looked a completely transformed side getting past Pakistan (won by 6 wickets), South Africa ( won by 39 runs) and New Zealand (won by 3 wickets) to seal a place in the semi final.


In the first semi final against Sri Lanka at St Lucia, England restricted the islanders to 128/6. Stuart Broad was the pick of the English bowlers picking 2/21. In reply, they made short work of the target, winning the match by 7 wickets with four overs to spare. Kevin Pietersen remained not out on 42 from 26 balls that included three boundaries and two sixes. Australia prevailed over Pakistan in the second semi final, beating them by 3 wickets.


In the all important final at Kensington Oval, England captain Paul Collingwood won the toss and decided to field first. Australia had the worst start for the final losing three quick wickets for just 8 runs on board with Watson, Warner and Haddin back in the pavilion inside the first three overs. When captain Michael Clarke departed for 27 runs, Australia were in deep trouble at 45/4 from 9.2 overs. They ended up scoring 147/6 thanks largely to David Hussey who scored 59 runs off 54 balls. Chasing a victory target of 148 runs, England lost opener Michael Lumb with the score on 7/1. But a match winning partnership of 111 runs between Kevin Pietersen (47 from 31) and Craig Kieswetter (63 off 49) saw England reaching the target (148/3) with three overs to spare. England for the first time were crowned champions in an ICC event.

Jim Laker picks all ten wickets for Surrey

On this day in 1956 England off spinner Jim Laker picked all ten wickets for Surrey against the touring Australian team. He took 10 for 88 on a turning track at The Oval. Laker went to repeat the same feat against the same opponents during the fourth test match at Old Trafford. Laker spun a web at the Australian batsmen as he picked 10 for 53 in the second innings. Laker’s figures read 51.2-23-53-10 and his match figures read 19 for 90. England won the test match by an innings and 170 runs.