Jos Buttler bemoans 'disappointing performance' as England's Champions Trophy campaign ends in South Africa loss
Updated 01/03/2025 at 19:40 GMT
React to this story
Jos Buttler's career as England's white-ball captain ended with a "dissapointing performance" and sorry defeat to tournament hopefuls South Africa in their final Champions Trophy match. Buttler announced he would step down from skipper duties after England failed to win their opening two games of the competition against Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore.
'We've got a lot of work to do' - McCullum frank about England's white-ball prospects
Video credit: TNT Sports
Outgoing England captain Jos Buttler bemoaned his side’s "disappointing performance" after a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa in their final ICC Champions Trophy match.
England won the toss, only to be bowled out for 179 with 11.4 overs remaining. South Africa took just 29.1 overs to complete their chase and seal their place in the last four, as Rassie van der Dussen hit an unbeaten 72 and Heinrich Klaasen wracked up 64 from 56 balls.
"That was a really disappointing performance", Buttler, who resigned as England's white-ball captain ahead of the game, told the BBC. "We were so far short of the mark there.
"We're just not going on and making those big telling contributions, which has been the story of this side for a little while now.
"I don't know why. As a whole group, not just batters, we're not getting the results and that does take away your confidence.
"There is no doubt that the talent is there, there is all the makings of a really good side so I do believe it can be turned around."
England, who were already out of the tournament after two defeats from two, are enduring their worst losing run for 24 years, per the BBC, having suffered 10 defeats from 11 matches across ODI and T20 matches in 2025.
Victory secured top spot in Group B for South Africa and set them on course for a meeting with either New Zealand or tournament favourites India in the semi-finals.
- How 'perfect storm' could see McCullum's England emulate Ashes winners of 2010/11
- Is Bumrah 'the best fast bowler there's ever been'?
- Australia's top five heaviest ODI defeats after humbling against Sri Lanka
South Africa captain Aiden Markram said: "The boys were really good. The wicket was quite slow, slower than we expected, and changed our initial plans.
"The boys adapted to the conditions out there and through that, we were able to take wickets throughout the innings and keep the momentum."
On potentially playing a semi-final in Dubai, Markram added: "We'll have to see when we get there what conditions are going to be like.
"We've got a great squad with great options and ultimately, we'll pick the squad to get the job done on the day."
Watch and stream top cricket action live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement