Buttler backs England to rebound in T20 World Cup defense
LONDON: Jos Buttler, England’s cricket captain, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to move past the disappointment of their failed 50-over World Cup campaign and focus on retaining their T20 World Cup title. Despite a dismal performance in India, where England lost six of their first seven matches, Buttler believes his squad can rebound as they prepare to defend their 20-over crown, which they won in Australia two years ago.
England’s 2023 World Cup journey was fraught with setbacks, starting with a nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the opening match, followed by a shocking loss to Afghanistan and a record 229-run thrashing by South Africa. The team managed to avoid complete humiliation with late victories against the Netherlands and Pakistan, finishing with a total of three wins out of ten matches, narrowly securing their spot in the 2027 Champions Trophy without needing to pre-qualify.
Buttler himself struggled during the tournament, scoring only 138 runs at an average of 15.33 across nine matches. Critics suggested that his poor form affected his leadership and communication within the team. However, in a recent interview with Sky Sports after the rain-affected first T20I against Pakistan, Buttler defended his leadership and clarified that the team’s shortcomings were primarily due to underperformance on the field.
“We just didn’t play well enough,” Buttler stated. He acknowledged that while there was an attempt to encourage players to play with freedom, it might have led to a lack of clarity at crucial moments. “The big learning for me is to try not to confuse freedom with maybe a lack of clarity,” he explained. Buttler emphasized the importance of clear communication and making sure players understand their roles, although he noted that sometimes decisions simply do not pan out as expected despite being well-intentioned.
As England turns its attention to the upcoming T20 World Cup, Buttler’s focus remains on rebuilding team morale and ensuring that players are both free and clear in their approach.
