Cricket

England's captain, Jos Buttler, remains optimistic about his team's chances of retaining the T20 World Cup despite their disappointing performance in the 50-over World Cup. Buttler acknowledges that England's failures in India were not solely due to a lack of clarity from the team management.Despite being considered favorites for the 2023 World Cup, England lost six of their first seven matches, including a humiliating defeat to South Africa. Buttler himself endured a poor campaign with the bat, leading to criticism that his own struggles had impacted his communication within the squad.However, Buttler defended his leadership, stating that England's problem was simply a lack of execution. He admitted that there could have been more communication at times, but emphasized that the team's performance was ultimately below par.Buttler believes that England has the experience and talent to bounce back from adversity, as they did after losing to Ireland in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He highlighted the importance of playing well in crunch moments and adapting to different conditions.England gained valuable experience in the tournament's likely conditions during their T20I series against the West Indies before Christmas. Phil Salt emerged as a key player, cementing his status as Buttler's opening partner with back-to-back centuries.Buttler praised Salt's insatiable appetite for learning and his improved off-side game. He believes that Salt can be a key player for England in the World Cup.England's campaign begins against Scotland on June 4 in Bridgetown. They have enlisted the help of Kieron Pollard as a batting consultant, and Buttler is confident that the team's preparations will enable them to perform well.

England vs Pakistan 1st T20I: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesEngland and Pakistan will lock horns in the opening T20I of their four-match series on Wednesday at Headingley in Leeds. The match marks the start of a highly anticipated series between two of the world's top cricket nations.Pakistan's Recent FormPakistan will enter the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant century in the second match, while Haris Rauf impressed with his pace and accuracy. However, the team has released pacer Hasan Ali from the squad due to fitness concerns.England's SquadEngland will be without the services of Liam Livingstone, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, the team has been bolstered by the return of several key players from the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt, and Sam Curran.Key Players to WatchEngland:* Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper batsman)* Jonny Bairstow (batsman)* Phil Salt (batsman)* Sam Curran (all-rounder)* Adil Rashid (leg-spinner)Pakistan:* Babar Azam (captain, batsman)* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper batsman)* Fakhar Zaman (batsman)* Haris Rauf (fast bowler)* Shaheen Afridi (fast bowler)Match Details* Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2023* Time: 6:30 PM BST* Venue: Headingley, Leeds* Live Scorecard: [Link to live scorecard]

Jos Buttler, England's T20I captain, has defended the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to withdraw players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. However, he believes that international cricket should not overlap with the IPL, the world's premier franchise league.Buttler, along with seven other members of England's provisional T20 World Cup squad, left the IPL before the end of the group stage. Four of these players, including Buttler, represented franchises that qualified for the knockouts. England's players returned to Leeds on Saturday night ahead of Wednesday's opening T20I.Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, stated that Buttler had driven the decision to bring players home from India. He emphasized the importance of the squad spending time together before traveling to the Caribbean.Buttler explained his reasoning, saying, "As an England captain, my main priority is to be playing for England. I think that these games have been in the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No. 1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation."Buttler's absence has left a significant void in his franchise, Rajasthan Royals. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was brought in for the final two group games but has struggled to make an impact.Other national boards have taken a different approach. West Indies and South Africa have both missed players for their T20I series due to IPL commitments. Ireland allowed Josh Little to remain in India during their recent series against Pakistan.Key has stated that the ECB tried to keep the situation fluid with players before deciding to bring them home. However, there has been some criticism in India about the early return of English players.Sanjay Bangar, the head of cricket development at Punjab Kings, claimed that the ECB had assured them that all players would be available before the December auction. However, as ESPNcricinfo reported, this was always subject to fitness, international duty, and any periods of unavailability submitted by players on their auction applications.The dates for England's T20I series against Pakistan were announced in July 2023 and have been in the ICC's Future Tours Programme since August 2022. In contrast, the BCCI only finalized the IPL's fixture list for the 2024 season after the tournament had started.Sam Curran, who captained Punjab in eight of his 13 appearances this season, believes the ECB's decision was justified. He said, "It was a decision that was made, that it was probably the right thing for us all to come back. It was only fair for all franchise to lose a player each or so… it would have been quite harsh if some franchises got to keep a couple of players and then some didn't."The Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA) will hold a global scheduling symposium for members later this year. CEO Tom Moffat revealed that a recent player survey showed widespread support for international and franchise 'windows', as proposed by Buttler.

Rajasthan Royals Face Punjab Kings in Crucial Clash, Seeking Top-Two FinishGuwahati, India - Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings will lock horns in a pivotal Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Wednesday, with both teams aiming for contrasting goals.Rajasthan Royals, currently sitting on 16 points, are in danger of slipping out of the top two after three consecutive defeats. The absence of Jos Buttler, who has departed for England's T20 World Cup duty, has further complicated their path to the playoffs.To fill the void left by Buttler, the Royals may consider promoting Tom Kohler-Cadmore or Dhruv Jurel up the order. However, Kohler-Cadmore has yet to play a T20 in India, while Jurel has limited experience as an opener in the format.Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are out of playoff contention and will be looking to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table. They will be boosted by the return of Sam Curran and Johnny Bairstow, who are available for this fixture before joining the England squad for the T20 World Cup.Key Players to Watch:* Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals): The young all-rounder has been in impressive form this season, scoring seven consecutive fifties in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He will be eager to make an impact in his third match at the venue in Guwahati.* Jitesh Sharma (Punjab Kings): The India T20 keeper-batter has struggled for form this season, averaging just 13.30 with a strike rate of under 125. He will be looking to end the season on a high note.Stats to Consider:* Arshdeep Singh has a favorable match-up against Yashasvi Jaiswal, having dismissed him twice in 20 balls.* Trent Boult has struggled against Punjab Kings, averaging 43.6 and conceding an economy rate of 9.98.* Yuzvendra Chahal has had a mixed season, with his average and economy rate deteriorating in his last six matches.Pitch and Conditions:This will be the first of two matches in Guwahati in IPL 2024. The pitch is expected to be conducive to batting, with the team batting first having won on both previous occasions at this venue.

Jos Buttler, the dynamic wicket-keeper batsman, has bid farewell to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to join the England squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Buttler's departure comes as England prepares for a crucial four-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting May 22, where he will lead the Three Lions.Buttler's leadership will be instrumental in England's quest to retain their T20 World Cup title. His ability to inspire and lead by example has been evident throughout his career, and he will be expected to play a pivotal role in the team's success on the global stage.In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Buttler has been in exceptional form, amassing 359 runs in just 11 matches, including two centuries. His contributions have been crucial for Rajasthan Royals, who currently sit second in the 10-team table.Rajasthan Royals bid an emotional farewell to their star player through a heartfelt video shared on social media. "We'll miss you, Jos bhai!," the team wrote, expressing their gratitude for his contributions.Buttler's departure leaves a void in the Rajasthan Royals lineup, but the team remains in contention for a playoff berth. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs, with the final scheduled for May 26 in Chennai.Rajasthan Royals last won the IPL title in 2008 under the legendary Shane Warne's captaincy. The team will be hoping to replicate that success this season, but they will need to overcome the absence of their star wicket-keeper batsman.

Adil Rashid, England's star leg-spinner, exudes confidence as the team gears up for the T20 World Cup in June. Rashid believes that England possesses the "mindset of champions" and has drawn a line under their disappointing performance at the 50-over World Cup last year.Rashid emphasizes that the 50-over format is vastly different from T20 cricket, and England's struggles in the former should not be a cause for concern. He highlights the team's current status as T20 world champions and their belief in their abilities."We've got the team, we've got the mindset, we've got the players, we've got the experience," Rashid said. "If we go out there having the same belief, I think we'll - hopefully - go all the way."England's white-ball coach, Matthew Mott, echoes Rashid's sentiments. Mott believes that the team has a strong squad and is confident in their ability to win the tournament. He also suggests that captain Jos Buttler will rely more on intuition and less on data-driven decision-making during the World Cup.Rashid believes that this approach will allow England to play with greater freedom and express themselves on the field. He emphasizes that T20 cricket requires spontaneity and a willingness to take risks.England will announce a provisional squad for the tournament early next week. Rashid, who has not played competitively since February, will have a short build-up to the World Cup, with England scheduled to play four T20Is against Pakistan in late May.Rashid's comments come as the ECB launches a national tape-ball competition as part of its "core cities" program. Rashid believes that the competition can provide a legitimate talent pathway for aspiring cricketers."Haris Rauf came in bowling quick with a tape ball, and next thing you know, he is playing for Pakistan and [in the] PSL," Rashid said. "These things can happen. If you see somebody with an X-factor with a tape ball, but he's actually bowling rockets and then you give him a cricket ball and you can do something similar, then you can fast-track them."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has witnessed a flurry of centuries and impressive bowling performances in its fourth week. Openers have dominated the batting charts, while bowlers have showcased their skills with economical spells and crucial wickets.Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders has been a standout performer, scoring 115 runs at an average of 57.50 and claiming three wickets at an economy rate of 5.88. Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals has also impressed with a century in his only match so far.Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians has been consistent with the bat, scoring 78 runs at an average of 39. Shivam Dube of Chennai Super Kings has made an impact with a quickfire 66* in his lone appearance.Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals has provided stability behind the stumps, scoring 57 runs at a strike rate of 162.86. Ashutosh Sharma of Punjab Kings has been a revelation, scoring 92 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 209.09.On the bowling front, Pat Cummins of Sunrisers Hyderabad has led the way with three wickets at an average of 14.33 and an economy rate of 10.75. Kuldeep Yadav of Delhi Capitals and Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians have also claimed three wickets each.Avesh Khan of Rajasthan Royals has been economical with four wickets at an average of 17.25 and an economy rate of 8.63. Matheesha Pathirana of Chennai Super Kings has impressed with four wickets at an average of 7 and an economy rate of 7.Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad has made a significant impact as an impact substitute, scoring 67 runs at a strike rate of 216.13.Under the guidance of coach Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals have emerged as a strong contender, with their players featuring prominently in the Team of the Week.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) engaged in a playful banter on social media, poking fun at pacer Avesh Khan for his batting performance in the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Avesh, who is known for his bowling prowess, remained unbeaten on zero as Jos Buttler single-handedly guided RR to a thrilling victory. Chasing 224 for victory, RR found themselves in a precarious position at 121-6 in the 13th over. However, Buttler's unbeaten 107 off just 60 balls propelled RR to achieve the target on the final ball.While the cricket fraternity lauded Buttler for his match-winning knock, RR took the opportunity to have some fun with Avesh, labeling him a "finisher.""Finisher saahab," RR tweeted, along with a picture of Avesh.LSG, Avesh's former franchise, joined in the banter, reminding fans about his scoreless cameo for them during an IPL 2024 game against RCB last year."2023: 0*(1)\n2024: 0*(0)\nAvesh the Finisher," LSG tweeted.Meanwhile, RR's victory over KKR marked the joint-biggest successful chase in IPL history. The Sanju Samson-led side emulated their own record from IPL 2020 when they chased down 224 against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Sharjah.Buttler, who missed the last game due to injury, made a remarkable return, scoring his second century of the season in 55 balls."Keep believing, that was the real key today. I was struggling a bit for rhythm. At times you feel frustrated or you are questioning yourself. I tell myself 'It's okay, keep going, you'll get your rhythm back and try to stay calm'. There's been plenty of times throughout the IPL, you've seen crazy things happen. Guys like (M.S.) Dhoni and (Virat) Kohli, the way they stay till the end and keep believing and I tried to do the same," Buttler said after the match.Buttler now sits second in the all-time list of centurions in IPL, with RCB icon Virat Kohli (8) only one ton ahead of him.

Rajasthan Royals' remarkable run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 continued on Tuesday as they pulled off a thrilling two-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. The win propelled RR to the top of the standings with 12 points, putting them on the cusp of securing a playoff berth.The match witnessed two scintillating centuries from KKR's Sunil Narine (109 off 56) and RR's Jos Buttler (107 off 60). However, it was a spectacular fielding effort by Avesh Khan that stole the show.In the fourth over of KKR's innings, Khan outstretched his arm to grab a stunning catch off Phil Salt's shot. The improbability of the catch, coupled with Khan's subsequent celebration with Sanju Samson, made it an unforgettable moment.This catch was particularly significant given Khan's frustration with Samson during RR's previous match against Punjab Kings. In that game, Samson ignored Khan's call for a catch, leading to a dropped opportunity. Khan's frustration was evident, and the catch against KKR seemed to be a redemption of sorts.KKR, batting first, posted a formidable 223/6 thanks to Narine's blistering knock. RR's chase got off to a shaky start, but Buttler's heroics turned the tide. The English opener played a match-winning innings, hitting 10 fours and 6 sixes to guide his team to victory.The win was a testament to RR's resilience and determination. Despite losing early wickets, they never gave up and fought back valiantly. Buttler's century was a masterclass in batting, while Khan's catch showcased the team's fielding prowess.With just a few games remaining in the league stage, RR is well-positioned to secure a playoff spot. Their impressive performances have made them one of the favorites to lift the IPL 2024 trophy.