Jos Buttler will emerge stronger from World Cup debacle: Rob Key

England’s squad for the marquee event had eight players who featured in the triumphant 2019 campaign: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. However, the defending champions played half as many ODIs in the 2019-2023 cycle as compared to the 2015-19 window, and the undercooked preparations in part led to their terribly poor display at the ICC World Cup 2023.

Led by captain Jos Buttler, suffered six defeats in their first seven matches of the ICC World Cup 2023 and failed to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing in seventh place in the points table. The ongoing tournament is also the first World Cup in which England have suffered five losses. They lost four matches in the 1996, 2007 and 2015 World Cups.

The nightmarish tournament puts a sour note on an otherwise promising year for England, who have turned around their fortunes in Test cricket with the ultra-aggressive Bazball approach.