Last Updated on 2 months ago by Charbel Coorey
England’s Super Eights campaign began in difficult fashion, with Jos Buttler in particular struggling for any rhythm against Sri Lanka. Buttler, one of England’s greatest in white-ball cricket, looked very scratchy for his 14-ball seven, extending his poor run of form in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Buttler did not look fluent at all. He was beaten on the drive on multiple occasions while scuffing a number of other shots, with foot movement almost non-existent. Facing his 14th delivery, Buttler put himself out of his misery attempting a reverse sweep off Dunith Wellalage, and was trapped LBW.
Fans fear retirement is near for Jos Buttler after a tough 7 (14) against Sri Lanka
The opener cut a forlorn figure in the dugout throughout England’s innings. He has scored just 60 runs in five knocks in the tournament at a strike rate of 113.20.
47 of those runs came in his first two innings against Nepal and West Indies, with scores of 3 (4), 3 (4) and 7 (14) against Scotland, Italy and Sri Lanka respectively since.
Buttler has had a fabulous career, including leading England to the 2022 T20 World Cup title in Australia. However, some fans believe the end is near.
“That dismissal has probably done England and Jos Buttler a favour, think he might be on his way out, that was just sad to watch,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“I mean if I was Sri Lankan, I wouldn’t have appealed for that Buttler wicket. Ugly. He looks a bit cooked,” wrote another.
Only Phil Salt (62 off 40 balls) managed to produce anything of substance as England struggled for the most part. Some late hitting from Will Jacks helped take England to 146 – a score that gives them a fighting chance on a slowish pitch.
