England Captain Vows Focus on Must-Win Games, Unfazed by Scotland’s Advantage
With their World Cup hopes once again hanging by a thread, England captain Jos Buttler has made it clear that the team’s sole focus is on securing victory in their upcoming must-win encounters against Oman and Namibia, rather than being consumed by net run-rate calculations.
Despite Scotland’s advantageous position in the group standings, Buttler insists that England are not in a “do-or-die” situation just yet. “I don’t think it’s s**t or bust quite yet,” Buttler told reporters in Antigua. “First and foremost, we need to win the game against Oman to have any chance going forward into the next one. So we have to earn the right to try and win the game.”
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Buttler conceded that England’s performance against Australia had invited criticism on several fronts, including their questionable team selections. “In this day and age, it’s not always about pace and statements, it’s about skill,” he said. “Sometimes you can have a plan that doesn’t come off, but every time we’re working out the best XI for the game coming up.”
However, the England captain remains undaunted by the growing frustration from the team’s fans, who fear a repeat of their disastrous 2022 50-over World Cup campaign. “I care more about the team than the media and the outside noise,” Buttler said. “Our focus has to be on what we can do with our performance.”
With two must-win games on the horizon, Buttler is determined to guide England back into contention, despite the added complexity of Scotland’s potential progression and Australia’s strategy regarding potential team rotations. The reigning champions know they must now earn the right to fight another day in this year’s 100-ball cricket schedule.
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