Lucknow, India – England’s World Cup title defense has encountered severe setbacks, with their chances of progressing in the current 50-overs World Cup appearing grim. Following their fifth defeat in six matches, the 2019 champions find themselves rooted at the bottom of the 10-team table, significantly diminishing hopes of retaining their title.
Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the tournament hosts, India, in a match where England restricted the home team to a modest 229-9. However, England’s batting line-up faltered yet again, suffering a batting collapse and being bowled out for a mere 129 runs within 35 overs.
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, expressed his disappointment after the team’s 100-run loss and acknowledged that their prospects of reaching the semi-finals had dwindled. He mentioned, “Very disappointing… At the halfway stage chasing 230, we fancied ourselves. But it’s the same old story.”
While England’s hopes in the current World Cup may be dwindling, Buttler emphasized the importance of performing well in the remaining group matches. A strong finish would not only salvage some pride but also keep them in contention for a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan. Only a top-eight finish in the current World Cup would secure a place in the Champions Trophy.
Buttler praised England’s performance in the bowling and fielding departments but lamented their recurring batting issues, which have plagued them throughout the tournament. “We were excellent in the field. We made a great start in the powerplay… But the way we batted didn’t back that up.”
When asked about England’s underwhelming performance in the tournament, Buttler was at a loss for explanations, stating, “Answers on a postcard. There’s some top players in there, and we were a long way short of their best.”
England’s coach, Matthew Mott, refuted claims of discord within the team, disputing allegations made by former England captain Eoin Morgan that team unity was fractured and contributing to their subpar performance. Mott asserted that the team remained an “incredibly tight-knit unit” and that he observed camaraderie and support among the players during training sessions.
Furthermore, Mott noted that England had recently become aware of the qualification scenario for the 2025 Champions Trophy. While acknowledging that qualification rules can change, he downplayed the impact on the team’s current performance, stating, “I don’t think it would affect in any way the way we’ve played in this tournament, so it’s not a big deal.”
With their title defense prospects fading in the World Cup, England now faces the challenge of rejuvenating their form in the remaining matches and securing a potential spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
