Bigger is better but England need rebuild – what we learned from T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma lifted the trophy with India then led a high-profile exodus from the format.

The T20 World Cup is over, with India walking away as champions after a memorable final against South Africa.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some the most striking conclusions from the tournament.

It’s the end of an era for England

Matthew Mott with a baseball glove during a nets session — Matthew Mott has presided over the loss of England’s white-ball trophies (Mike Egerton/PA)

Bigger is better for World Cup cricket

After receiving plenty of criticism for making the 50-over World Cup a closed shop of 10 teams, it was good to see the shorter format open its arms wider. The field was expanded to 20 teams and the growth paid off with some memorable moments. The United States carried the flag for the associates by storming into the Super 8 stage courtesy of a shock victory over Pakistan, while there were other underdog moments to cheer. Uganda suffered heavy defeats but also tasted victory for the first time at this level, Nepal pushed runners-up South Africa to the wire and Namibia and Oman battled to a nailbiting super over. The argument has been won.

The old guard are making way

Virat Kohli celebrates with an India flag after victory in the T20 World Cup final — Virat Kohli is one of many high-profile departures (PA)

Afghanistan mean business but their women need help

Afghanistan bowler Mujeeb Rahman, centre, celebrates taking the wicket of England batsman Dawid Malan, not pictured — Afghanistan lit up the tournament but bigger issues remain unresolved (PA)

The American experiment has legs

It is not hard to see the attraction of the USA to cricket administrators but handing them co-host status at a World Cup was still a gamble. There were setbacks along the way – including the under-prepared pitch in New York and the relentless rain in Lauderhill – but it was a qualified success. The performance of the United States team was a huge boost in terms of raising awareness and there was good buy-in from the existing cricket-lovers and ex-pats. Breaking into the conversation among the wider population is a bigger ask but with Major League Cricket attracting the likes of Pat Cummins and the sport returning at the Los Angeles Olympics, it is not impossible.