T20 World Cup: ‘England’s defeat by South Africa not a time for panic, they can be contenders’
- Author, Matthew Henry
- Role, BBC Sport Journalist in St Lucia
Sometimes defeats at a main event imply the beginning of a disaster.
Gareth Southgate would inform you a crew does not should lose for that to be the case.
They picked the incorrect crew, subjected themselves to an Indian sweatbox on the toss and carried out badly. The end result was their heaviest defeat in white-ball cricket.
But England’s newest defeat in opposition to the Proteas was simply that – a defeat.
England captain Jos Buttler has appeared at his fair proportion of inauspicious information conferences in current months.
Some have been tetchy, others simply plain unhappy.
Friday’s, which rapidly adopted the seven-run defeat on the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia, was not a type of.
This is not the time for England to panic.
“It’s a shame we didn’t go all the way but we did a lot of really good things today,” a measured Buttler mentioned.
While it’s true England depart St Lucia with their hopes of a semi-final place within the steadiness, they accomplish that after a week of extra positives than negatives.
Their followers can take pleasure in Gros Islet’s well-known Friday Night Street Party with a diploma of consolation.
This World Cup has been a rollercoaster of feelings for England followers – frustration, disappointment, pleasure, rain and Scotland-related resignation and stress – packed into lower than three weeks.
England recovered excellently with the ball, having been struck for 63 within the powerplay by South Africa opener Quinton de Kock – considered one of their most common tormentors in recent times.
Adil Rashid, who spent as a lot time off the sector due to sickness as on it the final time the 2 sides performed in that Mumbai thrashing, caused a halt in scoring that two seasoned Italian centre-backs would have been pleased with.
South Africa hit eight boundaries within the first six overs however just one within the subsequent six.
Jofra Archer, the bowler taken down early by De Kock, conceded 21 runs from his first over however solely 19 from his remaining three.
England, and South Africa after them, additionally performed their half in offering a match with sufficient fielding highlights to fill a complete reel.
Harry Brook and Sam Curran took two superb catches, as did Buttler, who additionally produced what’s turning into a trademark run out from the wicketkeeper place.
For a crew that seemed like an ageing outfit on its final legs in India, they now look re-energised.
The beaming smile of Buttler within the aftermath of the Heinrich Klaasen run out was the alternative of his manner even three weeks in the past.
Wins in opposition to Oman, Namibia and, most impressively, West Indies earlier than this have lifted England’s temper from the terse opening days of the tour and in that second it broke by.
But, for all the good, England should enhance if they are to win this World Cup to defend their title.
Buttler’s kind with the bat – loads of begins however no fifties in his previous six innings – would be a good place to begin.
Afterwards the England captain mentioned the 2 powerplays determined the sport.
Having been pushed again by De Kock’s assault, England solely managed 41 runs of their six overs, with Buttler hitting a single boundary.
England’s new-ball bowling is their most urgent concern.
They have dragged again innings in opposition to Australia, West Indies and now South Africa however ultimately they are going to get harm.
Only 13 wickets have come within the first 10 overs for England bowlers, throughout their six matches within the Caribbean.
It means their bowling common (36.92) in that section is the second worst within the competitors.
Take out the crushing win in opposition to an outclassed Oman and that report reads six wickets in 5 video games at a mean of 74.16.
Such numbers are not going to win World Cups.
England are nonetheless searching for the proper steadiness of their XI – in doing so opting for which of their rules they need to lose the least.
Against South Africa and West Indies they have omitted all-rounder Will Jacks and as a end result seemed a ball-striker mild, regardless of having talked up the significance of getting batting depth earlier than the event.
They have achieved so as a result of Mark Wood’s tempo, Reece Topley’s left-arm angle and Sam Curran’s left-handed batting have been seen as extra very important.
“I wanted to have four seam options so that’s the reason for changing the balance,” Buttler defined.
“Sam gives us that fourth seam option and a left-handed batter.”
Wood, who bowled two wicketless overs for 22, could miss out subsequent.
South Africa’s win was additionally a reminder of the risky nature of T20s.
England held all the playing cards at midway, gifted them away and received them again, solely for South Africa snatch again possession on the demise by conceding solely 17 runs within the final three overs when 25 have been wanted.
It is on such superb margins this World Cup will be determined.
Having come by 4 tight matches to stay unbeaten at this event, the Proteas will be a type of fancying their possibilities.
Australia have seemed the strongest aspect thus far however have had their wobbles.
India have progressed unbeaten however debate stays round their points on the high of their order, particularly.
A brand new champion will be topped in Barbados in a week’s time and there’s nonetheless no clear favorite.
In three conferences in opposition to their title rivals England have misplaced two.
But in opposition to South Africa, and within the win prior in opposition to West Indies, they confirmed sufficient to recommend that if they enhance they can nonetheless be contenders.
