ICC World Cup 2019 | When we play our best cricket, we are still in a position to win, says Jos Buttler

Leading up to the 2019 edition of the ICC World Cup, England were tagged as the favorites to lift the trophy. Ranked no.1 in ODIs and playing at home, it seemed like a reasonable bet. But, with two games to go in the round-robin stage, the hosts find themselves in a do-or-die situation. With three losses in seven matches, England now need to win both their games, against India and New Zealand, if they are to ensure a place in the semifinals. 

Ahead of the clash against India, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler addressed the press and admitted that the mood in their camp remained positive despite the heavy criticism they’ve come under. 

“The mood in the camp is still very good. Naturally, there is some external pressure and it would be naïve to say we have got our blinkers on. We just have to accept those things. We know they are going to happen. We know the position we are in, nothing has changed. When we play our best cricket, we are in a position to win,” Buttler said at the press conference, reported CricketNext. 

In-form opening batsman Jason Roy is set to return from injury for their next match against India at Edgbaston on Sunday. Roy had scores of 54, 8, and 153 before suffering a hamstring injury that put him on the sidelines for 4 matches. 

“He looks pretty good. I think he has been progressing nicely so it is nice to see him back in the nets, back in the group and taking part. I’m sure the medical team will know more than I do but he looks pretty good. He has been a very important player for us a long time. We know we can perform better as a group and Jason is a fantastic player to have available. It would be a boost to have him play,” Buttler said.

Edgbaston has previously played host to some fierce cricketing contests, notably the second Test of Ashes 2005. Buttler admitted that these kind of games are the ones that players dream of being a part of. 

“This is the reason we play the game. We know that all these are hard matches – especially against India, who are brilliant. We know we need to play better. Pressure is privileged sometimes and we are in a very privileged position. These are the games we will look back on or look forward to at the start of your career and hope to be involved in,” Buttler added.