England’s World Cup Hopes Dashed After Loss to Australia
England’s World Cup dreams were shattered following their sixth loss in seven matches, this time falling to Australia by a margin of 33 runs. This defeat officially eliminated England from the race to the knockout stages.
Buttler’s Batting Struggles Continue
England’s batting lineup once again failed to deliver, with captain Jos Buttler being dismissed for a mere 1 run during a crucial phase of the chase. This performance further reduced Buttler’s tournament average to a disappointing 15.14, with only Liam Livingstone having a lower average among the team’s recognised batsmen. Buttler expressed his frustration over his poor form with the bat.
Buttler’s Batting Form a Source of Frustration
“My own form has been my biggest frustration on this trip. As a captain, you want to lead from the front, and my poor performance has had a significant impact on the team,” Buttler admitted after the loss to Australia.
Buttler’s Captaincy Future in Question
England’s failure to defend their title has sparked debates over Buttler’s future as the captain of the white-ball team. However, Buttler dismissed the idea that his captaincy has affected his batting form.
Buttler’s Take on His Batting Woes
“I’ve enjoyed the captaincy in T20 and ODI cricket before this tournament, and I believe it has brought out good things in my batting. It’s frustrating that I can’t pinpoint why I’m not playing to the level I expect of myself,” Buttler expressed.
England’s Chase Effort Falls Short
England seemed well-positioned in their chase, needing to increase their tempo with the score at 103/3 after 22 overs. However, Dawid Malan and Buttler’s dismissals left England in need of another rebuild.
Buttler Defends Malan’s Shot Selection
Buttler defended Malan’s shot selection, explaining that the increasing run rate necessitated taking risks. He also acknowledged his own dismissal as a mis-execution.
England’s Qualification for ICC Champions Trophy at Risk
With two games remaining in their tournament, England’s qualification for the next ICC Champions Trophy is in jeopardy. To qualify, Buttler’s team must finish in the top eight, making their upcoming match against the Netherlands crucial.
Buttler Remains Tight-lipped on Selection for Next Match
Buttler refrained from commenting on the team selection for the crucial match against the Netherlands, stating, “We will digest this game and come up with what we think is the best team to win the next game.”