England's players all 'feeling the heat', says Marcus Trescothick

England's players all 'feeling the heat', says Marcus Trescothick
News Desk

By News Desk


Published: 28/10/2023

England players are all "feeling the heat" after their poor performances at the World Cup in India, says assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.

England have lost four of their five games so far, meaning their title defence is effectively over.

They play unbeaten hosts India in Lucknow on Sunday, three days on from their defeat by Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.

"It has been miles away from what we normally expect," former batter Trescothick told OceanNewsUK.

"We have not been up to what we expect and that is really disappointing.

"It is more disappointing in the team environment than anyone else.

"You have got to put your hand up and understand that criticism comes your way."

England would still not be mathematically eliminated if they lose to the world's top-ranked side India but could be by the time of their following match against Australia on 4 November if they do.

They are second bottom in the table with the second worst net run-rate in the competition.

Jos Buttler's side were thrashed by nine wickets in the tournament opener by New Zealand, beat Bangladesh in Dharamshala but then followed with defeats by Afghanistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

In all three of those latest defeats England were bowled out inside 50 overs. Against Afghanistan they made 215, South Africa 170 and Sri Lanka just 156.

This is from a team whose aggressive batting took them to World Cup glory in 2019 and has broken the world record for the highest total in one-day internationals three times in the past seven years.

"Getting bowled out in 50 overs like we have been, it is just not normal for us," Trescothick said.

"It is not that easy to understand to identify 'that is the turning point there'."

He added: "We've just not been matching up to the levels we expect.

"It's disappointing, of course it is. We're all feeling it. We're all feeling the heat and stuff.

"But what can you do? We prepared the same, we've done things very similar to what you'd expect.

"Every practice we go through we're coming out the other side thinking we're in a good place and feeling quite right.

"It's just not quite worked then when we go into the games and got that right."

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