England captain Jos Buttler aims for a “perfect game” against Afghanistan after their opening loss to Australia in the Champions Trophy. Emphasizing a must-win mentality, Buttler remains confident in his team’s abilities despite recent setbacks and expects to adapt their lineup due to injuries ahead of the critical match.
England captain Jos Buttler expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back after their opening defeat to Australia in the Champions Trophy. Ahead of a crucial match against Afghanistan, Buttler stated that achieving a “perfect game” remains the team’s goal. The upcoming match has become critical due to the rain-washed out game between Australia and South Africa; both teams earned only one point each from that encounter.
Despite their earlier loss, Buttler emphasized that each match is essentially a “must-win” situation for England, especially with two more games remaining for them to advance. He pointed out that the team has had time for reflection and has turned their focus toward performing positively against Afghanistan, aiming to refine their game strategy.
In their opening match, England scored 351-8, but failed to defend their total as Australia successfully chased it down. Buttler attributed the defeat partly to solid performances by Australia’s batsmen and noted that while their bowlers faced challenges, there were positive aspects to build on moving forward.
Though England’s bowling unit struggled against Australia, Buttler maintains belief in their capability. Despite admitting that inconsistency hurt their performance, he also acknowledged exceptional batting from opponents and emphasized learning from these experiences in preparation for the next match.
Buttler’s leadership has faced challenges since winning the T20 World Cup in 2022, with England achieving a disappointing track record in subsequent tournaments. He acknowledged the pressure of delivering results and emphasized the need for the team to focus on executing their playing style rather than dwelling on past mistakes. Buttler remarked that despite the shock loss to Afghanistan in 2023, England respects their opponents’ strengths and will concentrate on the positives ahead of the next game.
Following Brydon Carse’s injury, which ruled him out of the tournament, England will see a change in the lineup, bringing in leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed to strengthen their bowling attack. Buttler is determined to keep his team motivated and focused for their crucial encounter with Afghanistan.
Jos Buttler is leading England into a critical matchup against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, emphasizing the need for a perfect performance following their loss to Australia. Despite recent struggles, Buttler remains optimistic and focused on positive outcomes. England must adjust their lineup due to an injury, reinforcing their commitment to bounce back and aim for a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
