Jos Buttler admits England were ‘outplayed’ by Ireland in the T20 World Cup and faces an uphill battle to reach the semi-final stage with Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka following.
- England stunned by Ireland as they suffered defeat in the T20 World Cup
- They lost by five races in DLS after rain curtailed their run in Melbourne.
- Ireland had been eliminated by 157, but England fought back in pursuit.
- Captain Jos Buttler, who made a duck, admitted that England were second best
- They must now beat host Australia in their next Super 12 match on Friday.
Jos Buttler admitted his England team were ‘outclassed’ when Ireland recorded a famous T20 World Cup victory at the MCG.
Buttler’s team was humiliated and now faces an uphill task to reach the semi-finals with Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka still to come at the Super 12 stage.
When play was stopped in Melbourne by rain, England found themselves five runs under par in DLS and were unable to get going in their quest for a target of 158.
England captain Jos Buttler has admitted his side were ‘outclassed’ by Ireland in a World Cup defeat
Buttler leaves after being sacked by Josh Little with the second ball of England’s innings.
Buttler admitted that his team had struggled, telling the television cameras: ‘They outplayed us in all three facets of the game. The best team won today.
“Especially in the first 10 overs with the ball we were poor. We were a long way from where we finished and we let Ireland slip away from us.
‘We allowed them to score on both sides of the wicket when it was favorable for bowling. We won the draw and we had everything in our favor but we didn’t take advantage of it.
‘The second 10 overs we were much better. We let Ireland go 20 or 30 up in the first half and we were under pressure. We managed to restrain them, but they taught us how to bowl.
Ireland famously pulled off a victory over England in the T20 World Cup to shake up the Super 12
The players had left the field for another rain delay when confirmation of victory arrived.
Buttler fell in love with the second ball of England’s reply, adding: “Me coming out in the first over, that’s never ideal and it put the rest of our batting under pressure.”
“They played well and certainly used the conditions better. We won the toss and chose to bowl knowing that we would have the advantage of knowing what we would need to do as far as batting goes. But we couldn’t make the most of it.
He needs England to defeat hosts Australia in Melbourne on Friday to have a realistic chance of getting through.
“Friday is massive,” Buttler added. “This result has put a lot of pressure on us now, but it’s the biggest thing it can get right now to prepare us: Australia vs England at the MCG.”
Bowler Mark Wood, who had been extremely candid about England bowling during the innings break, said afterward that the team had fallen short of their usual standards.
There was delight among the Irish support at the MCG as they achieved a famous victory.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie’s 62 anchored his innings when he posted 158
It’s not what we wanted. Expected? In T20 cricket, if you don’t play well, you can be punished,” he said on BBC Test Match Special.
“It doesn’t have to be the number 1 team in the world, it can be any team. We were off, they were on, and they deserved to win.
‘The first 10 overs with the ball, we weren’t at our best. I am quite angry and disappointed in myself.
‘At that wicket, I think I could have bowled much better. If I look only at myself, I could have been much more consistent and not give away as many four balls.
“Australia is a huge game now, but we didn’t deserve to win here.”
Delight for Ireland after Josh Little gets the wicket award from England opener Jos Buttler
When the covers returned to the field to take the game beyond its time limit, Ireland took the lead.
Rather, Ireland reveled in a historic win to qualify alongside their 50+ success at the World Cup against England in Bangalore in 2011.
Captain Andrew Balbirnie, whose 62 from 47 balls anchored his innings, said: ‘It’s unbelievable and emotional because we’ve never played a cricket match here.
“Coming here and playing against the tournament favourites, with so many big names, and putting on a show in front of friends and family and so many people all over the world is very satisfying.
“To do this on one of the most amazing cricket grounds in the world is quite special.”
