Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reckons the Jos Buttler-led team could go on to win the T20 World Cup 2024. The English team was able to make it to the Super 8 stage after beating Namibia and Oman comprehensively.
England was able to qualify for the next stage on the basis of a superior Net Run Rate (+3.611) as compared to Scotland’s NRR of +1.255. England are the reigning champions and have a solid team to defend their title.
The Jos Buttler-led team suffered a 36-run loss against arch-rivals Australia but they were able to bounce back strongly in the remaining group-stage fixtures.
Michael Vaughan wrote for Telegraph, “It wouldn’t surprise me if England won the tournament. England are a very dangerous team. My worry is that they can play incredibly well, but they can produce a performance which is very average. They’ve become a team that’s quite inconsistent, which is not what we’re used to from the white-ball team.”
Vaughan picked Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer as the two crucial players for England if they are to go all the way.
“To get to the semi-finals and even further, England need two players at their best. Jofra Archer is hugely important for England. He’s that bowler who can bowl every over of the 20, and his return has been very good so far.
“And then Jos Buttler has got to find form. The skipper needs to find a bit of rhythm with the bat. Jos is that kind of player that can win a game on his own. England are going to need him.”
Vaughan shared his surprise at England’s selection in the first two matches against Australia and Scotland when they decided not to include Reece Topley in the final XI.
“In the last two games, England have rectified their big mistake at the start of the World Cup. How England didn’t play Reece Topley for the first two matches is beyond me. He bowls that first over, swinging the new ball as a left-armer.
Vaughan was happy to note that England included all-rounder Sam Curran against Scotland.
“I also liked England’s change in team formation against Scotland, bringing in Sam Curran. He’s the T20 expert; he’s got all the tools. A man who bats and bowls left-handed is so valuable – can bowl in the different phases of an innings, can smash the ball and is an excellent fielder too.”
England will begin their Super 8 campaign against the West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Wednesday.
