The ODI World Cup 2023 has seen its fair share of riveting moments and unexpected turnarounds, but one of the major talking points has been the defending champions England's nightmarish campaign. Their recent string of losses in four out of five matches has opened a Pandora’s box of criticisms.
While some are questioning England's gameplay but others like legendary Nasser Hussain are terming it as the ‘end of an era’.
Former England skipper Hussain while penning his thoughts in a column for The Daily Mail critically assessed the England's performance after their humiliating eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka. His candid reflection clearly conveyed a sentiment of change, suggesting that perhaps it's time for an overhaul of the English side.
“It’s easy to be wise after the event and say ‘it’s an old side, we should have picked Phil Salt or Will Jacks or Ben Duckett.’ But I would not have swapped any of the players England brought here for anyone else. I wouldn’t have changed the side before this tournament but I would definitely be thinking about changing it now because it does feel like the end of an era,” he wrote.
“I have not seen this England side play as badly in any back to back matches as they have against South Africa in Mumbai and now here against Sri Lanka. They changed their tactics and side again in making three more changes and batting after winning the toss but, really, what’s most important is having players at the top of their games when you arrive at a World Cup,” Hussain's column read.
Soon after Hussain's barrage of attack to England team, Kevin Pietersen couldn't contain himself from giving a strong retort to English great.
Addressing the growing whispers and negative comments, Pietersen took to his X account, lauding the English team for the years of absolute joy and excitement they've provided to their fans.
“This England white ball team has given us many years of absolute joy and excitement... Don’t start the blame game. You’re embarrassing if you do!” Pietersen's tweet read.
Following a thumping defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, England are now lurching ninth in the points table with just four points in a total of five matches.
Meanwhile, shattered by England's back-to-back defeat skipper Jos Buttler rued team's another embarrassing loss.
“It's incredibly tough. As a captain you feel that a lot - disappointed with myself and the boys that we've not shown our best. We're playing a long way short of our best. There's a lot of really experienced cricketers in the room. You don't become a bad team overnight. That's the frustration,” Buttler had said after England's humiliating loss.
On being asked about highlighting reason behind England's big defeat Buttler said,"We've been so far short of our best, and there's no particular reason. Can't put my finger on it. Selection is something you want to be consistent with. Selection hasn't been our problem. We've been short of our standards. Lots of the dismissals - Root's run out - you don't see that kind of mistakes from us. Haven't been building partnerships. Not doing the basic things well with both bat and ball. The biggest thing is personal pride. The standards we set for ourselves. Rest of the matches we want to get back to playing good cricket. Whatever will be will be."
England will next face might India at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow on October 29, Sunday and look to get back to winning ways.
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