England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has acknowledged that his side has fallen short of expectations during their tour of India, with six defeats in seven matches, including a 4-1 loss in the T20I series and back-to-back ODI defeats. With the threat of a 50-over series whitewash looming, Buttler pointed out that England’s performance has not been up to the mark, but he refrained from making excuses.
Buttler's Reflection on England's Struggles
Buttler reflected on the team’s performance during a Sky Sports Cricket Podcast appearance, emphasizing that England hasn’t played consistently well enough to get the desired results. He mentioned the need to improve in areas like batting partnerships, bowling coordination, and fielding to compete with the best teams. While acknowledging the pressure to perform, Buttler admitted the team needs to raise their game and be more consistent, especially against top-tier sides.
Praise for Brendon McCullum's Leadership
Despite the poor results, Buttler praised the impact of Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, since he took charge of the white-ball setup. Buttler lauded McCullum’s ability to keep the team level-headed and create a positive atmosphere, even amid disappointing performances. He noted that McCullum remains committed to playing an aggressive style of cricket, and although results haven’t gone their way, they continue pushing in the right direction.
England’s Focus on the ICC Champions Trophy
With a challenging group in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which includes Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa, Buttler emphasized that their struggles in India highlight the depth of talent in the Indian team. He remains realistic about where England currently stands but is determined to continue building and improving for the tournament ahead.
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