Former England captain Michael Atherton did not hold back as he dissected England’s dismal start in the 2023 World Cup. It was a day of shattered hopes and disappointment as the defending champions faced a crushing defeat at the hands of New Zealand, who emerged victorious by a margin of nine wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on that fateful Thursday (October 5).
What was anticipated as a thrilling contest turned into a lopsided affair. England’s woes began early, and they could never regain their footing throughout the game. From the toss onwards, New Zealand’s supremacy was evident. They held the upper hand with the bat or the ball, leaving England struggling to find their rhythm.
England was tasked with batting first and set a target of 282 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. However, their innings was marred by the loss of wickets at regular intervals, and they found themselves in dire straits at 118 for 4. A brief partnership between Jos Buttler and Joe Root offered hope, but it was short-lived. Buttler’s dismissal proved a turning point, and England couldn’t finish strongly.
A former cricketer-turned-commentator, Michael Atherton, did not mince words when he characterized England’s performance as ‘rusty and drab.’ It was a far cry from the standards set by the reigning champions in recent times. There were no silver linings or narrow margins in this defeat, just a resounding hammering that left England’s players undoubtedly grateful that there were not more witnesses to their ordeal in the stadium.
“England will have to show significant improvement very quickly after a rusty and drab performance brought defeat in a manner that has rarely occurred in recent times. No barest of margins here, just a hammering. Buttler’s players were thankful, no doubt that there were not more viewers in the ground to witness matters,” wrote Michael Atherton.
For England, the road to redemption is a steep one. Significant improvement is imperative, and they must address their shortcomings swiftly to have a fighting chance in the tournament.
England’s next challenge awaits on October 10 when they face Bangladesh in Dharamsala. It’s a crucial opportunity to bounce back and prove their mettle. Meanwhile, New Zealand will take on the Netherlands on October 9 in Hyderabad, continuing their quest for World Cup glory.
