The England cricket team, led by Jos Buttler, faced a significant setback with an 8-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This loss has seriously affected the defending champions’ chances of reaching the World Cup 2023 semifinals, as they now find themselves in ninth place on the points table.
While Buttler acknowledged the difficulty of reaching the semifinals, there remains a slim possibility for England to secure a spot in the top four.
Currently, England occupies the ninth spot in the World Cup points table, with a net run rate (NRR) of -1.634, having won only one of their five matches. To make it to the semifinals, Buttler’s team must win all four remaining games, but it’s not enough to secure 10 points; their NRR must also improve. This requires substantial victories, not only against India but also against Australia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan.
Even with 10 points and a positive NRR, it may not guarantee England a spot in the semifinals. Their hopes partly depend on Australia’s performance, as the Aussies currently have six points. If Australia wins at least two of their remaining matches, England’s chances diminish. England also hopes for Sri Lanka and Pakistan to drop points in their upcoming games.
The upcoming match against unbeaten India on Sunday presents an even greater challenge for the defending champions.
