Batting powerplay was the difference in the game: Jos Buttler

South Africa rode on their excellent powerplay thanks to Quinton de Kock as they managed to put up 163 on the board against England in the Super 8s fixture against England in St Lucia on June 21 (Friday). The Proteas managed to put up 63/0 in the first six, while England managed just 41/1.

England captain Jos Buttler says that proved to be the difference in the end after going down by seven runs in the end.

"The tougher overs in the powerplay today were from the bottom end, which de Kock really took on and took some risks and played well," Buttler said at the post-match press conference. 

"I felt like the power play was the difference in the game I think the way Quinny could bat at the rate that none of us could bat at for - but like I say, yeah, we fought back brilliantly well with the ball and restricted a really strong line-up to what was about a par score probably."

According to Buttler, the silver lining from the defeat is that England did not lose by a huge margin, which could have potentially put their qualification to the semi-final in jeopardy. Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) put on 78 for the fifth wicket, which took England close.

"I think Brook and Livingstone had a fantastic partnership like I say, on a slow wicket where other guys struggled and I thought their partnership was brilliant and they've got us a tour a position where, you're probably looking like your favourites at one point to go on and win the game," Buttler said. 

"The big picture is obviously net run rate. But yeah, I thought that was an awesome partnership and just couldn't quite finish it off."

Despite a lightning start from South Africa, England allowed them to get just 100 runs after that, which is something that Buttler is pleased with.

"I think the wicket was probably a little bit slower than everyone expected. So, yeah, I think 160 was about a par score. I thought we bowled really well in the back 10-15 overs there to restrict them," the skipper said.

England will take on the US in their final Super 8s fixture on June 23 (Sunday) in Barbados.

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