Captain: Jose Butler
Games: Scotland (June 4), Australia (June 8), Oman (June 13), Namibia (June 15)
Best T20 World Cup result: Champions (2010 and 2022)
England must learn lessons from their humiliating 2023 Cricket World Cup exit as they look to defend the T20 World Cup in the 2024 edition in the United States and West Indies, according to former England batsman Roland Butcher.
Jos Buttler’s side defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Australia two years ago to lift the T20 World Cup for a second time following their 2010 victory, but England’s defense of their 50-year-old crown never came off from first gear as he was eliminated in the group stage in India.
However, Butcher believes England have “learned their lessons” from a disappointing seventh-place finish last year.
“You cannot be complacent at any point during this World Cup,” Butcher told Al Jazeera.
“Sometimes when you win a competition it can have the effect of overconfidence, which can look like complacency.”
After a hard #CWC23England hired Manchester City’s psychologist for the #T20WorldCup 2024.
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– T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) May 24, 2024
Archer is the key to England
Butcher, who was born in Barbados but moved to England as a child, was the first black player to represent England.
The 70-year-old made his Test debut on the island of his birth against the feared quartet of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and Joel Garner in 1981.
Having suffered the wrath of legendary fast bowlers, Butcher knows pace is key in his home country. He highlighted the importance of Jofra Archer’s return from injury and returning to wicket-taking form for England.
Butcher, who was a selector of the West Indies team until this year, believes the West Indian Archer will give Buttler’s team an edge.
“England will be happy to have Archer back and will have greater confidence that they can win the World Cup,” he said.
“Bowlers who can do something special at certain times, especially when you need them, are very important.”
However, experts believe that spin bowling will be the key to success in the Caribbean.
The drop-in pitches in the US will suit fast bowlers but the West Indies, where England play all four group stage matches and the tournament will change in the latter stages, has become known for producing turning tracks.
According to Butcher, England are well prepared to deal with the conditions, especially with the all-rounder Liam Livingstone in their side.
“The pitches in the Caribbean will still favor spin bowlers, although there has been a lot of work done,” Butcher said.
“England have a very strong batting unit, if everyone plays well someone like Livingstone could have a big impact.
“Teams will come in on a heavy diet of spin and someone like him, who can bat and bowl, could be an important player for England.”
Three players to watch
José Buttler: England’s captain and one of cricket’s superstars, the 33-year-old has been instrumental in his country’s white-ball success over the past five years.
The right-hander won the Indian Premier League with the Mumbai Indians in 2017, and in 2022 he joined Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the only players to record five centuries in a single IPL season.
Jofra Arqueiro: The right-hand seam bowler bowled the Super Over for England in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final victory at Lord’s, London, against New Zealand, but has been plagued by injuries since.
The Barbados-born 29-year-old’s pace and knowledge of local conditions could pave England’s path to success.
Liam Livingstone: The all-rounder, who grew up bowling on the lanes at Old Trafford in Manchester, is a white-ball specialist in his country and was part of the 2022 title-winning team.
The right-handed batsman, who can bowl both outside off and leg-spin, has played for the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and is a seasoned veteran of T20 competitions in South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
