England captain Jos Buttler expressed his bewilderment at the team's abysmal performance in defending their ODI World Cup title.
The reigning champions are on the verge of an early exit following their recent humiliating defeat— an eight-wicket battering at the hands of Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.
England currently sit at the ninth position on the points table, just ahead of the Netherlands, and has suffered defeat in four of their last five matches. Buttler acknowledges that this poor run of form puts his captaincy in jeopardy.
“We're a really good team, done a lot of really good things in the recent past in white-ball cricket, 50-over cricket,” said Buttler.
“You get on the plane with high hopes and a belief we can challenge for the title so to sit here now after the three weeks which have been is a shock. It's a shock to everyone.”
“I'll go back to the changing room and look at the players sat there and think, 'how have we got ourselves into this position with the talent and the skill that's in the room?' But it's the position we're in, it's the reality of what's happened over the last three weeks.”
“It's a huge low point. You're always questioning, as captain, how you can get the best out of players and get the team moving in the right direction. I have a lot of confidence and belief in myself as a captain and leader – and, first and foremost, as a player.”
“But if you're asking if I should still be captain of the team, that's a question for the guys above me.”
England must win their four remaining matches to have even a slender hope of sneaking into the semi-finals.
It must be noted that Sri Lanka pushed England closer to the World Cup exit door. While chasing a target of 157, Sri Lanka cruised in the run chase by losing only two wickets. After losing Kusal Perera and skipper Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka (77*) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65*) steered the run chase with a 137-run partnership
England are now scheduled to play against the hosts India on October 29 in Lucknow while Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in Pune on October 30
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