Jos Buttler has admitted that England’s ODI players ‘feel like they have let people down’ and has taken a closer look at his own performances following his team’s disappointing exit from the Cricket World Cup.
Having dropped their sixth defeat in seven matches following Saturday’s defeat to Australia by 33 points, the defending champions’ hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament are now gone.
England have lost to India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan in the tournament and Buttler, who was sent off for one point by Adam Zampa yesterday, claimed his side were reeling from the disappointing campaign.
“It’s a low point, it hurts a lot,” the ODI captain said after Saturday’s defeat.
‘We feel like we’ve let people down and you carry that on your own shoulders. As a captain you want to be at the forefront.’
Jos Buttler admits his England side ‘feel like they’ve let people down’ after their disappointing exit from the Cricket World Cup
Buttler’s side suffered a 33-run defeat to Australia, their sixth defeat of the tournament on Saturday
It now means their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup are gone
England’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy are now also hanging by a thread and questions have been asked about the side’s poor form as Matthew Mott’s tenure as England white-ball coach is put in the spotlight.
Several members of his squad have also spoken out about the shabby campaign, with red ball captain Ben Stokes calling their performances ‘c**p’.
Buttler, meanwhile, reflected on his individual form during the tournament, with the 33-year-old struggling with the bat.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has managed to score just 43 runs in the last four matches. For context, his highest score in a single match at the tournament came in their opener against New Zealand, where he scored 43 points.
“My own form really hurt us,” Buttler added.
‘Obviously I’ve been in a crucial position in the batting line-up, so playing as poorly as I have has had a big effect on the team.
“Coming into the tournament I felt in fantastic shape, as good as I’ve been in. So to sit here after the tournament I had is incredibly frustrating, but it doesn’t shake your faith.
‘I have to make sure that I am the last person who stops believing in myself. You (the media) will give up on me much sooner than I will.”
After Saturday’s defeat, Buttle admitted he was ‘frustrated’ with his performance, adding that he came into the tournament wanting to lead from the front.
Although England’s bowlers have improved their game in their last few outings, they have struggled with the bat, notably managing to score just 129 runs against India and 156 against Sri Lanka.
On Saturday they were set a target of 287 by Australia but fell short again, making 253 before being bowled out by Pat Cummins’ side.
Opener Jonny Bairstow was dismissed for a duck before his partner, Joe Root was caught by Greg Inglis for 13, with Mitchell Starc taking both wickets.
Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes then reached the crease, hitting 50 and 64 runs respectively, as England’s tail order batters managed to overcome a late charge.
Australia set England a target of 287 but bowled out Buttler’s side for 253, with Adam Zampa taking four wickets
England have struggled with the bat in recent matches and also scored just 129 runs in their previous outing against India
Buttler’s side have now also lost 67 of a possible 69 wickets in the tournament.
They are currently joint bottom of the standings with Bangladesh and need to finish eighth to qualify for the Champions Trophy in 2025.
England will have to secure victory in the remaining matches against the Netherlands and Pakistan.
And Buttler understood the challenge ahead of his team, saying: ‘You know, the Champions Trophy is a tournament we want to be involved in and if we want to be involved we have to win some cricket matches. .
“We threatened today, but it’s still not good enough.”