Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton believes it is too early to give up on England at the T20 World Cup, despite their tough start to the group stage. Watch England vs Oman in the T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports on Thursday 13 June at 8pm
Monday, June 10, 2024 16:55 UK
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton believes it would be “foolish” to give up on defending champions England at the T20 World Cup despite their poor start to the group stage.
England’s defeat to Scotland in Barbados and then to a strong Australia side at the same venue has them in a precarious position at the T20 World Cup and means that even if they beat both Oman and Namibia, their chances of qualifying for the Super Eights will be up to other teams.
The current series of results is mirroring England’s fate at the 50-over World Cup in India last autumn, when they were eliminated in the group stage in their bid to once again defend their title.
Despite England’s chances of victory looking “pessimistic”, Atherton believes it would be “foolish” to give up on Jos Buttler’s side at this stage, but accepts England need two outstanding performances in their final two group stage matches to maximise their chances of qualifying.
“If you look at the table, England’s net points percentage is a lot worse than Scotland’s,” Atherton said. Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
“I still think it would be foolish to give up on England completely. And I think this pessimism is not just due to the defeat to Australia or the defeat to Scotland but the aftermath of the 50-over tournament in India where everything went wrong for England.”
“Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler fought hard to pull the team out of a spiral of defeat, despair and depression, the aftereffects of which are still felt today.
“Buttler is a little annoyed because he’s being asked questions about the competition with India which England are trying to calm down,” the source said.
Highlights from Barbados: England loses to Australia by 36 runs and remains winless in the T20 World Cup
“I don’t dwell too much on that. Again, comparisons have been made to Mitch Marsh and Jos Buttler, who looked very calm and relaxed, but I’m someone who doesn’t particularly like giving press conferences and I don’t think we’d ever win that game.”
“I don’t think that being a bit cranky at a press conference necessarily translates into behaviour in or around the team.
“England are still in the tournament, they need to win twice and do so well, but it would be foolish to give up on them completely.”
The England v Oman match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Thursday 13 June from 7.30pm, with the first pitch at 8pm.
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