Team England has had the most struggling start in the World Cup for a defending champion in recent history. The Jos Buttler-led team has lost 4 of their first 5 matches, losing even to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and is on the verge of being the first team to get knocked out of the tournament. Jos Buttler and Co. are set to play hosts India next in Lucknow, with their fate hanging by a thread.
Call it inexperience, overconfidence, or bad technique – England’s performance in this edition has been nowhere near their best as their batters and bowlers were equally disappointing. The England batters have lacked the application required on Indian pitches and have thrown away their wickets trying to play aggressive strokes instead of anchoring the innings. The underwhelming show by the defending champions has put Jos Buttler’s captaincy at stake.
Incredibly disappointing, incredibly frustrating – Jos Buttler
The England captain was speaking to the media after his team’s loss against Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in Bengaluru, and his body language suggested the disappointment in the England camp. Buttler also expressed frustration with his performance, accepting the blame for his team’s performance.
“That’s incredibly disappointing. You get on the plane to come to India and we’re in a really good position as a team. Everything looks like it’s going to plan and it’s just not worked at all” said Jos Buttler.
The keeper-batter expressed his intention to remain as the captain of England’s white-ball setup, however, the manner in which England has lost their games in the tournament has put his spot under the scanner. England was upset by Afghanistan followed by humbling defeats at the hands of South Africa and Sri Lanka, without a fight.
England has dominated the white-ball format in the last 6-7 years which saw them holding both the ODI and T20I World Cup trophies coming into India. They entered the tournament as one of the favorites, but their performance has surprised one and all. England currently sits at the 9th spot in the points table, pipping the Netherlands on net run-rate and only a miracle could help them qualify to the semi-finals.
How did it reach this point? “We’re a really good team, done a lot of really good things in the recent past in white ball cricket, 50-over cricket – Jos Buttler
“As I said – get on the plane with high hopes and a lot of confidence and belief that we can challenge for the title. So, to be sat here now with the three weeks that I’ve been is a shock. It’s a shock to everyone” said Jos Buttler.
“I’ll walk back in the dressing room after this and look at the players sat there and think how we found ourselves in this position with the talent and the skill that’s in the room. But it is the position we’re in, it’s the reality of what’s happened over the last three weeks and that’s a huge low point” he added.
England next faceoffs against an in-form Indian team in Lucknow on Sunday, with a loss assuring a certain exit for the defending champions.
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