Cricket

England's World Cup hopes are hanging in the balance after a disappointing start to their campaign. With just one point from two matches, they face a must-win clash against Oman on Thursday. Captain Jos Buttler insists that the team's focus is solely on victory, and they will worry about net run-rate only if they earn the right to do so.England's opening match against Scotland was washed out, and they suffered a 36-run defeat to Australia in their second game. Scotland's subsequent thrashing of Oman has put them in a strong position, with a significant advantage in net run-rate.England have another must-win match against Namibia on Saturday, but their fate could be sealed before then. If Scotland and Australia close out the group stage with a narrow defeat for the Scots, England's hopes will be dashed.Buttler is determined to avoid such an ignominious exit, but he acknowledges the challenges ahead. England need to defeat Oman and Namibia by a combined margin of 117 runs or more to improve their net run-rate ahead of Scotland's.However, Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has hinted that he may rest key players if they secure their Super Eights berth before the Scotland showdown. Additionally, NRR in the group stage is not carried over into the next round, which means Australia would have no incentive to stage a go-slow to eliminate England.Buttler insists that England will not be distracted by such permutations. He believes that the team needs to focus on winning the game against Oman and then assess their situation.Despite their poor start, Buttler remains confident in the team's ability. He admits that they were outplayed by Australia, but he believes that they have only played one-and-a-quarter games and still have plenty of cricket to play.Buttler is also unfazed by the growing frustration from England's fans. He understands that people care about the team and want them to perform well. However, he emphasizes that the team's focus is on their own performance and that they will make their fans happy if they play to their potential.

Defending T20 World Cup champions England showcased their dominance with a resounding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their final warm-up match at The Oval. The triumph capped off a 2-0 series win for England, who will now turn their attention to the upcoming global tournament.Pakistan's innings got off to a promising start, with openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan putting on a 59-run partnership. However, England's bowlers, led by leg-spinner Adil Rashid, applied pressure and triggered a collapse. Rashid claimed two crucial wickets, while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood also chipped in with key dismissals. Pakistan was eventually restricted to a modest 157.England's chase was a clinical display of batting prowess. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, who was captaining the side in place of the rested Eoin Morgan, put on a blistering 82-run opening partnership in just seven overs. Salt departed for 45, but Buttler continued his impressive form, scoring 39 before being dismissed.Harry Brook, who has been in excellent touch for England in recent matches, provided the finishing touches with a six off Haris Rauf. England reached their target with more than three overs to spare, securing a comprehensive victory.Rashid was named player of the match for his economical spell of 2 for 27. Buttler praised his team's performance, highlighting the hard work and positive atmosphere within the squad. He also acknowledged the experience of his players, many of whom have featured in the Indian Premier League.England will now head to Barbados for their T20 World Cup opener against Scotland on June 4. Pakistan, the 2009 champions, will face co-hosts the United States in Dallas two days later.

England, led by returning captain Jos Buttler, have opted to field first against Pakistan in the fourth T20I at the Kia Oval. The decision was influenced by overcast skies and the threat of rain, as confirmed by Buttler.England have made one change to their lineup, with Mark Wood replacing Reece Topley. Jofra Archer retains his place in the side, while Sam Curran, the Player of the Tournament in England's T20 World Cup triumph, remains on the sidelines.Pakistan, who need a victory to keep their series hopes alive, have also made two changes. Usman Khan replaces the out-of-form Saim Ayub at the top of the order, while Naseem Shah comes in for Imad Wasim, who is experiencing discomfort in his ribcage.The match marks the return of the opening partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, after Pakistan's experiment of separating the duo failed.

England and Pakistan's T20 World Cup preparations have been hampered by persistent rain, with their second match in Cardiff abandoned without a toss. The match was the second abandonment of the series, following the weather-ruined series opener in Leeds.England captain Jos Buttler, who left the squad on Saturday to be with his wife for the imminent birth of their third child, would have been replaced by Moeen Ali as captain. Mark Wood was set to make his first appearance for England since early March, while Sam Curran was also expected to feature. Jofra Archer was reportedly set to be rested as England manage his workload after a lengthy injury layoff.Buttler is expected to join the England squad in Barbados on Friday and could potentially return for the final match of the series at The Oval on Thursday. However, the weather forecast for south London is not promising, raising concerns about the possibility of a shortened match.Heavy rain throughout the day in Cardiff forced the umpires to repeatedly delay the toss. The rain eventually returned at around 5.15pm, leading to the abandonment of the match at 8.12pm.The lack of match practice is a concern for both England and Pakistan as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. England will hope to get some game time in the final match of the series, while Pakistan will have a warm-up match against Afghanistan on October 17 before the tournament begins.

England vs Pakistan 3rd T20I: Pakistan Faces Do-or-Die Battle in CardiffThe Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, faces a crucial encounter against England in the third T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Tuesday. The match is a must-win for Pakistan after they suffered a 23-run defeat in the second T20I, while the first match was washed out.The two teams last met in the Final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, where England emerged victorious. Pakistan enters the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland.Pakistan's batting lineup will be led by Azam, who is in excellent form, having scored a century in the second T20I against Ireland. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Shan Masood will provide support. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz.England, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their winning streak after their victory in the second T20I. Jos Buttler, the captain, will be the key batsman, along with Dawid Malan, Phil Salt, and Ben Duckett. The bowling attack will feature Mark Wood, Sam Curran, and Adil Rashid.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a strong chance of victory. Pakistan will be desperate to level the series, while England will be aiming to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Jos Buttler, England's talismanic wicketkeeper-batter, will miss the third T20I against Pakistan due to paternity leave. Buttler, who captained England to a 23-run victory in the second T20I at Edgbaston, has traveled home to London to be with his wife Louise, who is expecting their third child imminently.Buttler's absence is a blow to England, but it ensures that he will be available for the entire T20 World Cup campaign, which begins next Tuesday in Barbados. The 31-year-old had previously confirmed that he would be at the birth regardless, raising the prospect that he could miss a group-stage match.Moeen Ali, England's vice-captain, is expected to lead the team in Buttler's absence. Ali played down the significance of the leadership change, saying, "Nothing will change too much: it's just taking over from what he's doing and then when he comes back, he takes over."In Buttler's absence, England are likely to make a few changes to their side. Will Jacks and Jonny Bairstow could move up a spot each in the batting order, with Ben Duckett coming in at No. 4. England could also add another bowling allrounder to their side in Sam Curran.Mark Wood, who bowled with a heavily strapped knee before Saturday's T20I, could also come into contention in Cardiff if England opt to take a cautious approach to Jofra Archer's fitness following his international comeback.However, Tuesday night's match is under threat from the weather. If the match is washed out, England will have a 1-0 lead in the four-match series heading into the final match at The Oval on Thursday night.

England's IPL Departure: A Missed Opportunity for T20 World Cup PreparationThe premature departure of English players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the playoffs has raised concerns about their readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the decision to recall players for a series against Pakistan may have hindered their development.Vaughan argues that players like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks would have benefited significantly from the high-pressure environment of the IPL playoffs. He emphasizes the importance of playing under intense scrutiny from fans, owners, and social media, which he believes is more valuable preparation than a T20 match against Pakistan."I think you're going to miss the trick by sending all their players home," Vaughan said. "Playing in the IPL in the eliminators, pressure, crowd, expectation. I would argue that playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan."Vaughan acknowledges the priority of international cricket but believes that the IPL offers a unique opportunity for players to enhance their skills in a competitive and demanding environment. He particularly highlights the potential benefits for Jacks and Salt, who have limited experience at the international level."But Will Jacks and Phil Salt, I think they'd have been better prepared staying here playing in the IPL, then going back to head and let's play a game," Vaughan concluded.While England secured a comfortable victory in the first T20I against Pakistan, Buttler, Jacks, and Salt failed to make significant contributions with the bat. This performance raises questions about their readiness for the challenges of the T20 World Cup.Vaughan's comments underscore the importance of balancing international commitments with opportunities for players to develop their skills in high-pressure environments. The IPL provides a platform for players to test their abilities against the world's best and gain valuable experience that can translate into success at the international level.

Jos Buttler, England's wicketkeeper-batsman, has decided to continue keeping wickets at the upcoming T20 World Cup despite the risk of over-rate penalties. Buttler believes that the superior view he gets from behind the stumps outweighs the potential consequences.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented stricter over-rate regulations in recent years, including a five-run penalty for teams that fail to complete their overs within the allotted time. However, Buttler is confident that he can manage the risk by relying on his vice-captain, Moeen Ali, to relay messages to bowlers.Buttler has previously handed over the gloves to Phil Salt in certain matches, but he has decided to take on the wicketkeeping role full-time for the next six weeks. This decision will place a greater emphasis on Moeen's role as vice-captain, as he will be responsible for communicating with bowlers in the outfield.Moeen is confident in his ability to support Buttler and ensure that England's over-rate remains within acceptable limits. He believes that his presence at mid-off allows him to provide a different perspective and assist bowlers in making informed decisions.Buttler's decision to keep wickets also stems from his belief that it gives him the best view of the game. He can observe the opposition's tactics and make quick calls, which he considers to be a significant advantage.Despite the potential for over-rate penalties, Buttler is confident that England can adapt and find ways to slow down the game without compromising their performance. He emphasizes that he has the ability to communicate with bowlers from behind the stumps and can also use other tactics to manage the pace of play.Buttler's personal life may also impact his availability for the World Cup. His wife is heavily pregnant with their third child, and he has confirmed that he will be present for the birth. This could potentially cause him to miss a match, but Moeen is prepared to step in as captain if necessary.England have three remaining matches before the start of the World Cup, which Moeen believes will be sufficient to fine-tune their approach and prepare for the tournament. He emphasizes the importance of clarity and commitment to a specific style of play, whether it be aggressive or cautious.Moeen also expresses confidence in England's chances at the World Cup, citing their experience and comfort level in the T20 format. He believes that the team is more settled and confident than they were heading into last year's ODI World Cup in India.

England's T20 World Cup preparations have taken a psychological turn as they seek to rediscover their winning ways. Head coach Matthew Mott has enlisted the services of Manchester City's psychologist, David Young, to help the team become more emotionally resilient under pressure.Young, who previously worked with England from 2016 to 2020, has been brought back as a consultant ahead of the World Cup in the Caribbean. His appointment was influenced by Jos Buttler, who credits Young for his performance in the 2019 World Cup final.Mott believes it is time for England to "get the mojo back" after a disappointing 50-over World Cup last year. He has encouraged the team to be more open and vulnerable with each other, recognizing that they were too insular in India."We've made a commitment to be a bit more open in and around our training sessions, to help each other out a bit more," Mott said. "In India, all of us were guilty of being a bit insular, and trying to problem-solve ourselves."Mott has been impressed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru's resurgence in the IPL, suggesting that England could learn from their aggressive approach. He also acknowledged the criticism from former captain Eoin Morgan, but emphasized that only those within the dressing room can fully understand the team's dynamics.Buttler has indicated that he needs to provide more clarity to certain players, and Mott believes the squad will drive this change. "My style of coaching has always been more of a cooperative approach - keep asking questions on what does their game look like at its best, and if they're veering away from that, to drag them back on track," Mott said.England will confirm their World Cup squad before Saturday's second T20I against Pakistan. Despite niggles for Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood, Mott expects them to be available for selection later in the series. Jofra Archer's return has been delayed by rain, but he is likely to play in at least two of the remaining three T20Is.