Defending champions England slumped to a 68 run defeat in their T20 World Cup Semi-final to India in what was a lacklustre performance in Guyana.
The average age of the side that faced India was 31. Only four of the team are below 30, with a high turnover of players now expected. Most of the squad will be 35 or above by the time the next T20 World cup happens in 2026.
Liam Livingstone has failed to delivered the goods for a while and stalwarts such as Moeen Ali, Johnny Bairstow and Chris Jordan have probably reached the end of their T20 international cricket cycle.
Despite reaching a Semi-Final of a major competition, the tournament proved indifferent for England. Their wins came against Oman, Namibia, West Indies and the USA. While defeats to South Africa, Australia and India were emphatic and at times embarrassing.
The tournament highlighted the same issues that England have faced for a while now. Their inability to bat on slow pitches and their bowling attack not being as strong as it once was.
However it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Jofra Archer remained fit throughout and ended the competition with 10 wickets. While Harry Brook also delivered with the bat after a slow start to his international T20 career.
At the forefront of criticism is captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott who both at times have failed to implement a clear gameplan.
Buttler opted for pace with his bowlers, rather than utilising his bowlers who can vary their speed and decieve the batters. This was evident against Australia with Buttler remaining persistent with Mark Wood who bowled 3 overs for 32 runs. The desicion to bowl part-time off spinner proved a costly one as his sole over went for 22 runs.
The problem England face is struggling to find suitable alternatives for their current ageing squad. Players on the cusp such as Sam Billings, Tom Curran and James Vince have failed to replicate the form that they’ve shown for their counties when given opportunities.
Captain Buttler probably deserves the choice on wether to continue as captain or not as he has delivered a trophy during his reign and taking over from his predecessor Eoin Morgan who captaincy felt natural to is no easy feat.
Whatever desicions England make, have to be made sooner rather than later.
