Former India opener Virender Sehwag on Thursday slammed England after they suffered a humiliating loss against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, saying that the English team has been very mediocre in the 50-over format.
Sri Lanka produced a dominant bowling performance to bowl out defending champions England for 156 in 33.2 overs in Bengaluru . In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target in 25.4 overs with eight wickets in hand.
The result means that England’s defence of their World Cup title is likely over, with Jos Buttler’s team needing to win all of their remaining results. They produce a huge swing in net run rate and see other results go their way to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka, who moved up to fifth in the standings with the win, have now won all of their last five ODI World Cup matches with England.
“England in 50 over one day international cricket has been a very mediocre side. Apart from the 2019 World cup at Home, in the last 8 attempts they have failed to make the semis 7 times. Not having a steady side and too much chopping & changing and wrongly thinking that they are as exciting in ODI’s as they are in Tests cost them. #ENGvsSL ,” wrote Sehwag in a post on X.
Meanwhile, England captain Jos Buttler accepted that he is disappointed with himself and the players, who haven’t performed upto the expectations.
“It’s incredibly tough. As a captain you feel that a lot – disappointed with myself and the boys that we’ve not shown our best. We’re playing a long way short of our best. There’s a lot of really experienced cricketers in the room. You don’t become a bad team overnight. That’s the frustration. We’ve been so far short of our best, and there’s no particular reason. Can’t put my finger on it,” said Buttler in the post-match presentation.
The 33-year-old said that selection is something you want to be consistent with but it hasn’t been our problem.
“Selection is something you want to be consistent with. Selection hasn’t been our problem. We’ve been short of our standards. Lots of the dismissals – Root’s run out – you don’t see that kind of mistakes from us. Haven’t been building partnerships. Not doing the basic things well with both bat and ball,” said Buttler.
“The biggest thing is personal pride. The standards we set for ourselves. Rest of the matches we want to get back to playing good cricket. Whatever will be will be,” he added.
