As England’s squad flies out to defend their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title they won in 2022. Yet, they have many challenges to consider.
England skipper Jos Buttler had plenty of reasons to be happy as he led his side on their journey to Barbados for the T20 World Cup on Friday. Despite the bad weather in England canceling two scheduled T20I matches, his team won the series against Pakistan. And he was named Player of the Series, due to his STUNNING 84 runs off 51 balls in the second match.
But he also has some serious thinking to do as he prepares his team to defend the title they won in Australia two years ago. Let’s look over a few things Jos Buttler should think about before the T20 World Cup in 2024.
#1 – Is England Squad Able to Peak?
Leaving aside the English weather, missing half of their planned T20 warm-up matches is poor preparation for a competition they aim to win. Before the 2022 edition Down Under, England played a whopping 11 matches. It includes a seven-match series in Pakistan, four in Australia, two against the hosts, and one against Pakistan again.
No doubt, however, the three opening players – Buttler, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks – are sharp and match-fit as a result of their IPL performances and improvement. So run-making should not be an issue.
Buttler has stated that he believes his squad is “in a good place,” while he agrees that two more warm-up matches would have been beneficial.
#2 – How Will England’s Spinners Fare?
Perhaps unexpectedly, the spin attack appears to be the least of Buttler’s concerns. Despite the challenging situations, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone have performed their best against Pakistan. The only concern here may be the knee issue with which Livingstone returned from the IPL. Yeah, it can be!
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#3 – How Should the Pace Attack Look?
Well, England has the World’s best bowlers in form. But a few of them have suffered major injuries in recent years. Jofra Archer has been out for 14 months due to stress fractures in his elbow and a back issue. On the other side, Mark Wood played in the fourth match against Pakistan. His first T20 of any kind in over a year.
Then there’s Reece Topley, who lost out on the 2022 title after injuring his ankle in a freak accident during practice. Topley and Wood each played one match in the shortened Pakistan series; perhaps rotation is the way England chooses to go.
#4 – What is Their Level of Confidence?
With minimal group preparation, it may be more difficult to forget England’s poor performance at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup last year. Remember, Buttler confessed earlier this summer that “dented” collective English pride. On the other hand, it provides him and coach Matthew Mott with a quick opportunity to redeem themselves if they can maintain their T20 title.
#5 – How Will They Deal With Overall Conditions?
So far this cricket season in England has been chilly and rainy. The England vs. Pakistan series is a recent example. Hopefully, the weather in the Caribbean and the United States will be completely different.
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About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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