T20 World Cup: Michael Vaughan reacts after England’s loss against India
Jos Buttler's side was dominated heavily by India’s spinners in Guyana
Former England captain Michael Vaughan reacted after Jos Buttler’s side lost to India in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final which was played at the Providence Stadium, Guyana, on Thursday.
England failed to chase the 172-run target as India’s spinners — Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav — dominated the defending champions and bagged six wickets combined, including the ones of Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Harry Brook.
Vaughan stated that Buttler shouldn’t have bowled first after winning the toss as batting second on a dry pitch against India’s spinners was sure to become difficult.
“My belief is that England’s issues with these conditions run a bit deeper than just the coach and captain. They made some mistakes. It was a curious decision to bowl at the toss. I am sure the dodgy weather played its part, but on a dry pitch like that against India’s spinners, surely you bat first. Perhaps England were stuck in their ways because they chased so well against India in Adelaide two years ago,” the former cricketer wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
Vaughan also added that England failed to bring their power-hitting game on slow pitches which cost them the match as, despite batting on a difficult track, India managed to score 171 runs.
“But there are three key issues in these conditions for England. First, they are not a great fielding team, and do not have enough athletes. They had a couple of good moments, but are way below South Africa’s level. With the bat they lack the power-game on slower pitches, and with the ball they are a bit predictable. It’s a bit unfair to compare them to Jasprit Bumrah, the best in the world, but how many of our seamers have slower balls that completely deceive the batsman?,” he added.
Remember, South Africa made it to their first-ever T20 World Cup final by beating Afghanistan in a one-sided contest in Trinidad and Tobago.
The iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados will host the final on June 29.
T20 World Cup 2024 final schedule
Final — June 29, 7:30PM (PST)
South Africa vs India @ Kensington Oval, Barbados
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