Michael Atherton rips into England as their white-ball winter ended with a whimper in Jos Buttler’s swansong as captain | Cricket Information

Michael Atherton stated England “left the worst till final” in Jos Buttler’s swansong as captain after they have been humbled by South Africa to exit the ICC Champions Trophy with three defeats from three matches.

Again-to-back Group B defeats to Australia and Afghanistan sealed an early exit and Buttler’s destiny, however England have been unable to evoke themselves for his send-off in Karachi, the place they have been bowled out for 179 in 38.2 overs.

A flaccid batting show was largely responsible for a seven-wicket loss, their tenth in 11 matches since Brendon McCullum expanded his head coach position to soak up the limited-overs groups, in addition to Checks.

With a stray cat circling Atherton and Nasser Hussain throughout the post-match dissection, the previous England skipper advised Sky Sports activities Cricket: “They left the worst till final. Even the cat’s had sufficient. That was a surprising efficiency from a staff that was missing in any form of confidence now. England have been on a roll for some time in ODI cricket and it’s extremely onerous to show it round.

“This has been their third surprising match in a row, however they do not play now for some time. It is time for a reset.”

Talking throughout the interval after England have been dismissed for simply 179 with practically 12 overs to spare, Atherton stated: “A dreadful efficiency simply symptomatic of a staff whose confidence has drained away if you consider the defeats they’ve suffered – not simply on this match however going again to the India tour after which over a time period.

“What’s it? Eighteen out of the final 25 video games in ODIs. Finally that confidence simply dissipates and that was mirrored in that efficiency right this moment.”

“Simply not sufficient batters in kind. [Joe] Root and [Ben] Duckett have been in fairly good contact on this match, however who else has been in first rate contact? No one, actually.”

England should rebuild and regain their confidence within the 50-over format after a dismal marketing campaign, out-going captain Buttler admitted after the match, earlier than including that that they had sufficient expertise to show round their flagging fortunes.

“That could be a actually disappointing efficiency. We’re to date in need of the mark there right this moment. It’s actually disappointing,” Buttler stated.

“We’re simply not occurring and making these massive, telling contributions with the bat, which has been the story of the facet for just a little little bit of time now.”

It was a seventh straight loss for England within the 50-over format however Buttler believes they will rebuild their squad forward of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“As a bunch we’re clearly not getting the outcomes and that takes away some confidence,” he stated. “It’s time for everybody to go away, have a change of surroundings and work onerous for wherever cricket takes them subsequent.

“From this level ahead, there’s a big alternative for everybody contained in the dressing room, and clearly folks exterior the dressing room, to essentially put their hand up and say they wish to be a part of the rebuild of the England white-ball groups.”

Buttler added: “There isn’t a doubt the expertise is there. There may be all of the makings of placing collectively a very good facet. And I am positive Brendon and the blokes on the high will formulate some plans.

“It’s all the way down to people as effectively to place their hand up and say that they wish to be a part of one thing transferring ahead and get the staff again to the place it ought to be.”