- England were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after being thrashed by India
- England lost by 68 runs in an underwhelming end to their defence of their crown
- A number of players will be heading home feeling they could have done more
England’s time as the kings of limited-overs cricket has come to a definitive end.
Matthew Mott’s men surrendered their T20 crown in a 68-run semi-final thrashing by India on Thursday having already lost the 50-over title in abject fashion late last year.
Question marks have been left over the future of coach Mott and captain Jos Buttler after a tournament where few players can really say they played to their best.
Here, Mail Sport’s LAWRENCE BOOTH rates the performance of each player at the tournament.
Harry Brook 8
He batted only four times, but did enough to suggest he should have gone in ahead of Bairstow.
He skillfully took the rainy group game in Antigua out of Namibia’s reach, and turned a losing position into a nailbiter against South Africa in St Lucia, where he might have guided England to victory but for a superb catch by Aiden Markram. Might he be a candidate to replace Buttler?
Phil Salt 7.5
His unbeaten 87 off 47 balls against West Indies in St Lucia was England’s innings of the World Cup, and confirmed him as their long-term white-ball opener.
Also took on Australia in the powerplay, and made a selfless 12 off three balls as England chased quick runs against Namibia. But his drop of Rohit Sharma in the semi-final was critical.
Mark Wood 5
It just didn’t work out for England’s most likeable player. He bullied Oman to tune of three for 12, but against everyone else he managed none for 101 off 10 overs.
Not even a return to St Lucia, scene of his first Test five-for, could stop his pace being used to the batsmen’s advantage.
Jofra Archer 7
Bowled England’s best over, against West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran in St Lucia, and always demanded respect.
If his first over tended to be scratchy, he usually adapted, not least against South Africa. England have missed him.
Reece Topley 7
He was wrongly omitted from England’s two group games in Bridgetown, and repeatedly bowled tight opening spells, even if he was limited to two wickets (including Virat Kohli in the semi).
An economy-rate of 6.72 was bettered only by Rashid. Above all, he stayed fit.
Adil Rashid 8.5
A pity he’s 36, because England could really do with him at the next T20 World Cup, in India in 2026.
His control is as good as ever, and his googly a thing of beauty. Against South Africa, West Indies and India, he had combined figures of three for 66 off 12 overs. England’s player of the tournament.
Jos Buttler 6
A duck against Namibia aside, he only once made a sluggish start: 17 off 20 deliveries against South Africa. And his five sixes in five legitimate balls against the USA were one of the World Cup’s champagne moments.
But his tactical nous was found wanting more than once, and England would be better off allowing him to focus now on life back in the ranks.
Moeen Ali 5
Another player whose England career seems at an end. His best moment came when he hit three sixes in an over off Australia’s Glenn Maxwell at Bridgetown, but otherwise his scores diminished: 25, 16, 13, 9, 8. And he was underused with the ball, sending down just nine overs.
Buttler’s failure to give him even one against India was mind-numbing.
Chris Jordan 5.5
His hat-trick against the USA in front of family and friends on his home ground in Bridgetown was one of the tournament’s loveliest moments. But take out his performance in that game, and Jordan went for more than 11 an over.
Picked ostensibly because he had been honing his six-hitting, he totalled two runs off eight balls. Time for the tap on the shoulder.
Liam Livingstone 5.5
He had his moments, but even they weren’t quite enough. When he and Brook threatened to rescue the run-chase against South Africa, Livingstone tried to hit a six into the wind, with fatal consequences.
Against both the USA and India, he bowled well. But England needed more from a player with 48 T20 internationals under his belt.
Sam Curran 4.5
England’s desire for Curran to be more than the cricketer he is was summed up when they promoted him to No 6 against India, despite a T20 batting average of 13.
Yes, he provided an extra seam-bowling option; yes, his presence meant another left-hander. But he rarely looked anything other than a luxury.
Jonny Bairstow 5
He lashed out against his media critics after scoring 31 against Namibia, then helped Salt complete the chase against West Indies.
But in England’s three biggest games, he looked off the pace: seven off 13 balls against Australia, 16 off 20 against South Africa, a third-ball duck against India. His international white-ball days may be numbered.
Will Jacks 3
Played only twice before England decided to look elsewhere. It wasn’t his fault that Buttler decided he should bowl the second over of the game against Australia, but it cost 22 and put England on the path to defeat.
And 15 runs off 17 balls felt like a pale imitation of the player who regularly destroys county and franchise attacks.