England’s cricket squad is gearing up for their pivotal World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, following a disheartening defeat against New Zealand. Jos Buttler, captain of the English team, expressed his reservations about the condition of the Dharamsala outfield in a pre-match press conference.
England’s World Cup journey began with a rude awakening, as they succumbed to a surprising nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in their inaugural match. Despite posting a competitive total of 282/9 in 50 overs, the Kiwis chased down the target in just 36.2 overs, leaving the defending champions shaken. With redemption in their sights, England now faces Bangladesh in a high-stakes encounter on Tuesday.
Dharamsala’s outfield has come under scrutiny, having been rated as ‘average’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh on Saturday. Buttler didn’t mince his words, saying, “Yeah, a few I think, it’s poor in my own opinion. I think any time you’re sort of talking about being careful diving or sort of being careful when you’re fielding, it sort of goes against everything you want to be as a team.”
The England skipper emphasized that their team philosophy revolves around the desire to go to great lengths to save runs. However, the state of the outfield has forced them to exercise caution, which isn’t ideal for a team participating in a World Cup.
Buttler’s concerns find resonance with Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott, who also voiced his displeasure over the Dharamsala Stadium’s outfield. After losing to Bangladesh by six wickets in their opening match, Trott expressed relief that none of his players sustained injuries while fielding.
England enters this match as the favorites, with several of their players having experience in Indian conditions due to their participation in the Indian Premier League. Nonetheless, they are aware that Bangladesh possesses the ability to turn the tide, and a second successive loss could spell trouble for the defending champions.
The spotlight now firmly rests on the Dharamsala outfield, as both teams prepare to face off in this crucial World Cup encounter. Buttler’s concerns raise questions about the playing conditions and the impact they might have on the outcome of this highly anticipated match.
For more updates stay tuned to FELA News!
