Sky Sports activities Cricket’s Michael Atherton thinks it’s “foolish” to put in writing defending champions England off on the T20 World Cup regardless of a poor begin to the group phases.
England are in a precarious place on the T20 World Cup after a washout towards Scotland in Barbados was adopted by a defeat to a scientific Australia on the identical venue, that means their possibilities of qualifying into the Tremendous 8s are within the palms of different groups even when they beat each Oman and Namibia.
The present set of outcomes is portray the same image to England’s destiny on the 50-over World Cup in India after they suffered a group-stage exit final autumn, as soon as once more when defending their title.
Regardless of the obvious “doom and gloom” surrounding England’s probabilities, Atherton believes it could be “foolish” to put in writing Jos Buttler’s facet off at this stage however concedes that they want two huge performances of their last two group stage video games to present themselves the absolute best hope of qualifying.
“You look at the table, England’s net run rate is significantly worse than Scotland’s, isn’t it,” Atherton mentioned on the Sky Sports activities Cricket podcast.
“I believe it’s nonetheless silly to utterly write off England and I believe the doom and gloom is not only on the again of the defeat towards Australia and the washout towards Scotland, it’s the hangover from the 50-over match in India the place the whole lot went incorrect for England.
“Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler struggled to tug them out of the spiral of defeat and doom and gloom and there may be that hangover nonetheless.
“That’s what has irritated Buttler a bit as a result of he will get requested questions concerning the India competitors which England have tried to place to mattress.
“I wouldn’t read too much into that. Again, the comparison was made between a very chilled and relaxed looking Mitch Marsh and Jos Buttler, but I was somebody who didn’t particularly like doing press conferences, I don’t think you can ever win in that game.
“Simply since you get a bit grumpy in a press convention, I do not suppose that essentially interprets into how you might be in and across the workforce.
“England are still in the competition. They are going to have to win and win well twice but it would be foolish to completely write them off.”
Watch England tackle Oman on Thursday June 13 from 7.30pm, first ball 8pm, stay on Sky Sports activities.
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