Image Credit- ICC
On the eve of the World Cup, Jos Buttler was occupying
a round table on the ground floor of the Gujarat Cricket Association clubhouse,
entertaining the visiting English press group. He had just finished an
exhausting afternoon of media appearances ahead of an evening training session,
having just spent forty minutes on stage at a captain’s event.
It was there, in Ahmedabad, that Buttler explained in
some detail the thought behind a phrase that has come to haunt England’s World
Cup campaign: “We’re not defending anything,” Buttler said.
“It’s probably the word I don’t like: I want us to attack, so I don’t like
the word ‘defending’.” It has aged like milk.
Three weeks and one day later, Buttler was seated in
the press conference room of M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru looking
considerably different. He appeared nearly lifeless as he attempted to
comprehend how a squad possessing such immense talent and expertise could be on
the verge of elimination following four decisive losses in five group matches.
“To be sat here now with the three weeks that
have been is a shock,” he said. “I’ll walk back into the dressing
room after this and look at the players sat there, and think: ‘How have we
found ourselves in this position with the talent and the skill that’s in the
room?’ But it’s the position we’re in.”
Buttler was insistent that complacency had not been a
problem, referring back to Ahmedabad: “Something we spoke about a lot as a
team [was that] you have to go and create it again… that’s why, at the very
beginning of the tournament, I said we weren’t here to try and defend our
title; [that] we’re here to start something new and try and win
something.”
They’ve come far, far short. There has already been
criticism of Buttler’s captaincy, some of it justified. His judgements at the
toss have not held up well: choosing to bowl first against Afghanistan in Delhi
was a miscalculation, and choosing to do the same against South Africa in the
intense heat of Mumbai was a grave mistake. Their selection has been
disorganised in their last two games.
In the field, he has appeared helpless to alter the
trajectory of an inning. Unbroken stands of 273 and 137 saw New Zealand and Sri
Lanka coast to victory, while South Africa’s sixth-wicket stand of 151 in 77
balls felt like trying to stop a burst dam with a bucket due to numerous
bowling changes. Before Buttler finally brought his spinners on a sluggish
track, they had raced to 79 for 0 after 10 overs, even if they managed to rally
against Afghanistan.
But Buttler has not become a poor leader overnight.
Only a year ago, he got a response from a similar group of players after defeat
to Ireland left them on the brink of elimination at the T20 World Cup. Then,
his message to his squad was simple: “Put your chests out and enjoy your
talent. You’re all here playing for England in a World Cup. Showcase how good
you are.”
After arriving in Lucknow on Friday lunchtime, England
will train on Saturday afternoon before of their Sunday match against India.
The following fortnight will be a litmus test for the professionalism and pride
of England; while things should improve in principle, they could turn quite
unpleasant in real life.
The leadership of Buttler and his ability to teach
players who haven’t hit a note to play will be put to the test during these
four games. It remains to be seen what will happen when they qualify for the
T20 World Cup, but Buttler is the clear choice to lead them there.