England captain Jos Buttler has acknowledged the need for significant improvement as his team prepares to face Netherlands and Pakistan in their final two group-stage matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. England’s campaign has been far from ideal, with just one victory to their name in seven outings.
Buttler addressed the team’s performance at the toss, stating that they are aiming for Champions Trophy qualification and will be fighting for a top-eight finish in the tournament. The top seven teams in the World Cup 2023, along with hosts Pakistan, will automatically qualify for the 2025 edition.
“We will bat first today. It does look like a good wicket. We are looking to make the most of it. Need to bat well and post a good score on the board,” Jos Buttler said at the toss. “These are crucial matches for us. The Champions Trophy is one such tournament where we would love to be involved. Hope we play well and get there,” he further added.
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England’s batting unit has been a major concern, failing to put up substantial totals throughout the tournament consistently. Buttler recognized the need for improvement, stating, “There is so much to improve. Plenty of room for improvement. The boys, as always, have worked hard and are ready to go.”
When asked about how they could salvage their pride in the tournament, Buttler emphasized the importance of belief and self-confidence. “It’s all about belief, isn’t it? We need to play good cricket. We need to have trust in ourselves. Even in challenging times like this, we need to have that belief,” Jos Buttler asserted.
In an attempt to revitalize their lineup, England made two changes to their squad, bringing in youngsters Harry Brook and Gus Atkinson in place of Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood.
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With two matches remaining, England will be hoping to secure two victories and potentially sneak into the top eight, securing a place in the next Champions Trophy. However, they will need to address their batting woes and play with renewed confidence to achieve their goals.
