Not so long ago, England would have eaten a target of 287 for breakfast. Now they can barely lift the fork to their mouths and their World Cup defence is an embarrassment.
There can be no talk of moral victories this time, only acceptance of an era coming to a sad end as Australia knocked England out of the World Cup.
They had hope while their talismanic leader – he may not be captain, but he is still the ringmaster – was fighting hard against a lack of form. But with 118 still needed when Stokes was dismissed, belief drained away. At least they managed almost to bat out the overs; in the previous three games they did not go beyond 35 and two players made 50s after none since the Afghanistan match. Small crumbs.
England have only qualification for the Champions Trophy to play for, and that requires winning both games. Matthew Mott’s job is to rally his players, support them and inject self-belief, but he has been totally unable to lift their confidence since they lost their opening game.The coach may pay the price, but ultimately the senior players have to take responsibility. Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Jos Buttler contributed 14 runs.
England were tentative under pressure again with the bat. Adam Zampa bowled his 10 overs for 3-21, England rarely playing a shot in anger against him. They used to hammer spin, not anymore. He bowled superbly, but England let him take control, failing to hit him for a single boundary. They averaged 79 against spin in 2019-20 here, but old demons on turning pitches in India have been reawakened.
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