(Image Source: AFP)
[Saba Sports News] Around 5 PM in Bengaluru, with the sun yet to set, Mark Wood attempted England’s signature big-hitting style. Despite being nine down for 156, England’s aggressive approach was not unusual. Wood’s attempt was swiftly thwarted with a stumping.
Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes had already fallen, raising hopes of an England comeback. Could Joe Root, Bairstow, Buttler, Liam Livingstone, or Moeen revive the innings? Maybe Ben Stokes could work his magic?
The match and venue seemed suited to England’s style, with short boundaries and an opponent struggling with bowling. However, England hadn’t beaten Sri Lanka in a World Cup game for 24 years.
Unfortunately, their efforts, including various strategies and playing their entire squad, failed. Wrong toss calls, selection choices, and a reluctance to adapt their batting approach contributed to their woes.
As wickets fell to a resurgent Sri Lankan attack, questions arose both externally and within the England team. Buttler admitted to the shock of their underperformance, considering the talent in the squad.
England had stuck to their aggressive approach, but their downfall wasn’t due to complacency. They aimed to create a new legacy in this tournament.
Their performance in the tournament was a monumental disappointment, and there were no easy solutions. Buttler acknowledged his own shortcomings as a leader and player but expressed determination to improve.
“To be sat here now with the three weeks that I’ve been [through] is a shock. It’s a shock to everyone. I’ll walk back in the dressing room after this and look at the players sat there and think how we found ourselves in this position with the talent and the skill that’s in the room. But it is the position we’re in, the reality of what’s happened over the last three weeks and that’s a huge low point.”
With slim chances of reaching the knockouts, it seemed like the end of an era for England’s golden run. They had consistently reached the knockouts in ICC white-ball tournaments since 2016, including two titles. However, the decline had come sooner than expected.
“This tournament’s gone nowhere near the way we wanted to. It’s been a huge disappointment. If there was one golden egg that we were missing, then you’d hope to see that. But there is no secret, I don’t think. There’s no one else who can score your own runs or take your own wickets. That comes from the start, from the captain at the front. I’ve been a long way short of my best. As a leader, you want to lead through your own performance and I’ve not been able to do that,” he admitted.