England Captain Jos Buttler Optimistic as Team Gears Up for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

Fresh from their series victory against New Zealand, England’s cricket captain, Jos Buttler, expressed confidence and optimism about the team’s prospects ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, scheduled to commence in India on October 5.

England secured a 3-1 series win over New Zealand, showcasing their form and mettle ahead of the prestigious global tournament. Their victory in the final ODI match against New Zealand at Lord’s was highlighted by Moeen Ali’s remarkable four-wicket haul and Dawid Malan’s spectacular century.

Speaking after the series-clinching win, Buttler praised the team’s improvement with each match and emphasized their readiness for the upcoming World Cup. “We’ve got better and better throughout the series. He’s played fantastically every time he gets his opportunity (Malan). He read the game very, very well. Thought it was a very good score. Everyone said the wicket was slow and it was hard work. The spinners bowled brilliantly. They’re valuable cricketers – with bat and ball. We’re well positioned. Exciting time to be a player and look forward to those world events,” Buttler said during the post-match presentation.

In the match, England opted to bat first, and despite the early dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, they built a solid foundation with a 79-run partnership between Dawid Malan and Joe Root (29). Malan, who smashed his fifth century, played a pivotal role, forming crucial partnerships with skipper Jos Buttler (36) and Liam Livingstone (28). Their collective efforts powered England to a competitive total of 311/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Contributions from the lower order, led by Sam Curran (20), further bolstered England’s innings.

Rachin Ravindra was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4 wickets for 60 runs. Matt Henry and Daryl Mitchell took two wickets each, while Kyle Jamieson secured one.

In pursuit of the 312-run target, the New Zealand batting lineup struggled once more. Apart from notable performances by Rachin Ravindra (61 off 48 balls) and Henry Nicholls (41 off 48 balls), the Kiwi batsmen failed to make a significant impact. New Zealand was eventually bowled out for 211 in 38.2 overs, falling short by 100 runs.

Moeen Ali was the top bowler for England, scalping 4 wickets for 50 runs. Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, David Willey, and Brydon Carse contributed with one wicket each.

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