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The English cricket team is in turmoil after a thrashing at the hands of co-hosts New Zealand on Friday morning. The Kiwis ran away victors by eight wickets, with 37 overs to spare.
This is England’s second lost in as many games, and their worst start in World Cup history. They also currently have the worst NRR in this World Cup at -3.952. England have never finished with a net run rate lower then -0.33, which occurred in the 2003 World Cup the first time England failed to make it past to group stage.
On Friday, England struggled from the get go, losing both openers early, making only 2/43 in the mandatory powerplay. The wickets continued to fall for the English, with young talent Joe Root showing the only signs of resistance in making 46.
Captain Eoin Morgan again struggled with the bat, making a slow 17 before being dismissed by a spectacular outfield catch by fast bowler Milne.
For England things went from bad to worse, losing their final seven wickets for 19 runs, posting a less then competitive 123. Kiwi quick Tim Southee cleaned up with an impressive 7/33 after 9 overs hoping to claim a World Cup record before fellow bowler Trent Boult picked up the final wicket.
Things didn’t get any better for England with the ball. New Zealand’s opening duo stacked on another impressive opening partnership of 105, with Brendon McCullum belting 77 off just 25 balls, breaking his own record for fasted fifty in a World Cup (50 off just 18 balls).
England fast-medium bowler Finn copped the brunt of the McCullum attack, bowling 0/49 off just two overs with an economy rate of 24.5, going for 4+ runs a over.
New Zealand finished off the small total comfortably with 226 balls remaining.
Now, is England’s campaign all but over? Winless after two games, with a NRR of -3.952 and sitting bottom of their group, it does not look bright for the Poms.
But there is hope.
A statement was made by England skipper Eoin Morgan after the loss on Friday, admitting that his side was “exposed” and “out-skilled”. Although while they have had two big losses, they were at the hands of tournament favourites Australia and New Zealand.
Both these sides are expected to breeze through the group stages. Morgan said “These first two games, against Australia and New Zealand, we knew they would be difficult. We are playing against two of the favourites in their home conditions. We envisaged a possibility of losing our first two games. But not by these amounts.”
With the toughest games (of the group stages) behind them, England are still a chance to advance into the quarter finals. Only three teams in group A have posted wins so far.
The top four teams advance, leaving England a decent chance to qualify, mathematically speaking.
England will be looking to get their campaign back on track when they face rivals Scotland on Monday.
The Poms will be looking for a big win to help reduce their net run rate. While Scotland impressed with their bowling against New Zealand, picking up seven wickets defending a poor total, England are clear favourites to claim their first win.
With the bookies, the English are paying $1.08 to win, with Scotland at $7.50.
Time will only tell if England can turn around their poor start.
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