Australia's bowling through the middle overs was excellent: Jos Buttler

England's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 is hanging by a thread. Their first game against Scotland was a washout and they were handed a 36-run defeat by Australia in their second match in Barbados on June 8 (Saturday). 

Chasing 202, they got off to a good start as opening batters Phil Salt (37) and Jos Buttler (42) put in 73 for the first wicket in seven overs. But the introduction of Adam Zampa proved pivotal as the leg-spinner removed both openers in a span of three overs.

England captain Bullter feels that Australia bowled well in the middle phase and that eventually cost his side. "We were outplayed by Australia. They fully deserved the win today. I think there's a little bit of things we want to tidy up. But look, they played well with intent right at the start, put us under a lot of pressure," Buttler said at the post-match press conference. 

"I thought we fought back relatively well. But I thought their bowling performance was excellent I think especially those middle overs I think we got off to a really good start but the way they controlled those middle overs made it tough to hit boundaries I thought they bowled very well to defend the score."

Australia opened with spin from both ends for the first time in T20 International (T20I) cricket, with Moeen Ali and Will Jacks doing the job. Moeen gave away just three from his first over, but Jacks, on the other hand, took a bit of beating, giving away 22 runs. Should Buttler have gone with Jacks though?

"Hindsight's very easy to make different decisions. We talked a lot in the buildup, potentially bowling two overs of spin straight away against the two left-handers," Buttler said. 

"Moeen bowled an excellent over first up. So, gut call to go with Jacksy there, but they hit some good shots, quite extreme conditions with the short boundary and the wind. It was a call that probably didn't come off today."

England now need to get the better of Oman (June 13) and Namibia (June 15) in their final two group stage games to stay in a position to make it through to the Super Eights.

Speaking of the predicament, Buttler says, "The situation we find ourselves in is the situation we find ourselves in. We've got to be confident, keep our heads up and look forward to the next one and keep puffing our chest out and play some really good cricket, which we know we're capable of."

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