Sky Sports activities Cricket’s Michael Atherton thinks it’s “foolish” to write down 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 in opposition to Scotland in Barbados was adopted by a defeat to a scientific Australia on the identical venue, that means their probabilities 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 an analogous 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 will be “foolish” to write down Jos Buttler’s facet off at this stage however concedes that they want two huge performances of their closing two group stage video games to offer 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 fully write off England and I believe the doom and gloom is not only on the again of the defeat in opposition to Australia and the washout in opposition to Scotland, it’s the hangover from the 50-over event in India the place every little thing went improper for England.
“Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler struggled to pull them out of the spiral of defeat and doom and gloom and there’s 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’re in and across the group.
“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.
Advert content material | Stream Sky Sports activities on NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities stay with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Immediate entry to stay motion from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf and a lot extra.
