We have to play better than we have, says England's Jos Buttler

Adelaide, Mar 6: Jos Buttler expects England to resurrect their World Cup campaign, saying playing under pressure may just be what the struggling team needs ahead of the last two must-win games.

World Cup Special

Eoin Morgan's side, who have just one win in four Pool A matches, must defeat Bangladesh in Adelaide on Monday and minnows Afghanistan in Sydney on March 13 if they to have a chance of staying afloat in the tournament.

Even that may not be enough if Bangladesh, who have five points to England's two, upset co-hosts New Zealand in Hamilton on March 13 to squeak through to the quarter-finals.

But Buttler said England were confident they could turn their fortunes around.

"We are confident about ourselves and back the quality we have," said the England wicket-keeper, who is also vice-captain to Morgan.

"We have not played as well as we should have, or would have liked to, but if we get near our best in these two games you would think we're strong enough to come out on top.

"We have got to win two games of cricket and maybe it's good to have that pressure on ourselves. Hopefully, that will bring out the performance that we need.

"In simple terms, we have got to play better than we have so far to get through to the quarter-finals."

England have played the same combination in all four games, but Buttler suggested changes could be in the offing due to the desperate situation the team finds itself in.

Hard-hitting batsman Alex Hales, who pundits said should have been in the XI from the start and who has played in Australia's domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League, is expected to replace Gary Ballance.

Buttler said the players sidelined so far were waiting to get a chance and hoped the competition for places would benefit England.

"The guys who are not in the side are desperate to put their hand up to say they should be playing, and the guys who are in the side and have not performed as well as they would have liked, want to get some form," he said.

"That makes for healthy competition for the team." Buttler backed Hales to come good, if he was selected.

"He is an explosive player and will be a fantastic player for England in the future," said Buttler.

"I think he enjoys the big occasion. There was that fantastic hundred he got against Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 last year against what turned out to be the champions.

"If he gets his chance I am sure that having sat on the sidelines for a while he will be desperate to do well."

England have lost just two of their 15 one-day internationals against Bangladesh, but one of those defeats came in the previous World Cup four years ago when the co-hosts won in Chittagong by two wickets.

AFP