Former cricketer Michael Vaughan shared his insights on defending champions England’s disappointing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign following its loss to South Africa at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
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Jos Buttler-led England are on the brink of elimination having won just one out of the four matches in this year’s 50-over World Cup. The side started their campaign on a losing note as they were handed a nine-wicket thrashing by New Zealand.
The Three Lions got back to winning ways with a comfortable 137-run victory over Bangladesh but suffered back-to-back defeats from Afghanistan and South Africa by 69 and 229 runs respectively.
It is pertinent to mention that the loss to the Proteas was their worst in ODIs.
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Former Michael Vaughan believes that England’s chances of defending the world title are over. In a column for a British news agency, he believes the side don’t care about the ODI format anymore since their victory.
“After their thrashing by South Africa, England may not be officially out of this World Cup, but it’s almost impossible to see them making the semi-finals,” he stated. “I think all of us in the English game, from the team itself to the media and fans, have to admit that we have been complacent with this 50-over team.”
Related – ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Jos Buttler accepts his mistake for defeat against South Africa
He said the side had then played several ODI matches and prepared according to the situation.
“From 2015 to 2019, England focused on ODI cricket and cared about it. They played 88 games between World Cups. They won 54 and lost 23. They used 34 players, six of whom played 70-plus games, seven more played 40-plus. So they found a style and players, then backed it, getting their combinations grooved. This World Cup cycle has been very different. They have played 42 ODIs, winning 22 and losing 16. They have used 44 players, and only four of those have played more than 25 games,” he said.
England will now take on 1996 winners Sri Lanka at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 26th.
