Having won the 50-over 2019 World Cup and following it up with a T20I trophy in 2022, England were expectedly one of the top picks by cricket experts to sweep another title when Jos Buttler’s Men landed in India for the much-anticipated ICC World Cup 2023. Now, half-way through the tournament, the defending champions are in a tough competition with the Netherlands to steer clear of the last spot on the points table, the Net Run Rate being their only saving grace.
The England team that boasts the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow – all proven match winners in the cricket books – have failed to rattle their oppositions game after game and the results only paint a worrying picture. 229 run defeat to South Africa. First-ever loss to Afghanistan. 8-wicket thrashing by Sri Lanka. England’s chances of getting through the semi-finals are as bright as the Vantablack and the skipper Buttler is aware of it.
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“It certainly looks that way (England are out of the tournament) and that’s incredibly disappointing. You get on the plane to come to India and we’re in a really good position as a team. Everything looking like it’s going to plan and it’s just not worked at all,” England captain Buttler said Thursday after losing to Sri Lanka.
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“We’re a really good team, done a lot of really good things in the recent past in white ball cricket, 50-over cricket. As I said – get on the plane with high hopes and a lot of confidence and belief that we can challenge for the title. So, to be sitting here now with the three weeks that I’ve been is a shock. It’s a shock to everyone,” he further added.
Jos Buttler in ODIs in India:Innings – 12.Runs – 178.Average – 14.83. pic.twitter.com/vyu1pBiEQV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 26, 2023
As the law of land suggests, England, with their poor run in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 and having registered their third loss on a trot, were subjected to stinging memes on the Internet.
To rub salt into the wounds of Englishmen, their stark decline and colossal downgrade from the 2019 World Cup, was reminded by cricket fans through images.
England be like.#ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/L0gVjeYKSg— Rajabets (@smileagainraja) October 26, 2023
Rest of the teams to England now: pic.twitter.com/toNoA16NVI— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) October 26, 2023
Pic 1: England, World Cup 2019 Pic 2: England, World Cup 2023 pic.twitter.com/AXcG1StroA— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) October 26, 2023
England just needs to improve in batting bowling fielding and captaincy.– Shane Watson pic.twitter.com/AbYwjzhh4D
— Gagan (@1no_aalsi_) October 26, 2023
Pic 1: England, World Cup 2019 Pic 2: England, World Cup 2023 pic.twitter.com/qHH9DDuE5t— Manish Mudgil (@immudgil) October 26, 2023
Karma for England #ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/63OwUxvNjb— Anoop (@ianooop) October 26, 2023
Pic 1: England in 2019 WCPic 2: England in 2023 WC pic.twitter.com/zPxxIJ9QZK— Bakri Player (@91_of_79) October 26, 2023
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It’s worth reminding that England are technically not out of the World Cup race. Should they win the rest of their contests and the top teams (India, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia) have a fallout of epic proportions, England could still stand a chance. The other teams that are not the top 4 also need to step-up in order to assist Buttler’s team to qualify.
A loss to India on Sunday could very well have England seeing the exit doors.
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At the time of writing this, England have accumulated 2 points to their name with just 1 win out of 5 matches.
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