Scotland exposed England weaknesses that will have Australia licking their lips

BARBADOS — Those of a superstitious nature may fear England’s T20 World Cup campaign is cursed following the rain-soaked no result against Scotland that leaves Jos Buttler’s team needing to beat Australia on Saturday to reassert their credentials in this tournament.

Following a weather-ruined series against Pakistan on home soil last month, where two of the four games were washed out, England would have hoped for better in their opening match here in the Caribbean. But the rain gods were at it again, with this opener for Buttler’s men consigned to a watery grave after just 10 overs were possible across almost five hours of the day.

Maybe we shouldn’t have expected anything less given the Atlantic hurricane season started last Saturday and we were playing at a ground that is a Chris Jordan throw away from the house of his former school-mate Rihanna, whose most famous hit was Umbrella.

Given this was a match the defending champions were expected to win, the failure to get a result will sting.

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However, their fate will remain in their own hands if they can get the better of Australia back in Barbados on Saturday – a result that is necessary not only for progression from Group B but also to restore faith in the partnership of Buttler and coach Matthew Mott following last autumn’s dire 50-over World Cup defence in India.

Mott stressed before this tournament began that it was essential his team got off to a good start in the Caribbean. Through no fault of their own, that has not been possible.

But beating Australia, serial winners who triumphed in this tournament back in 2021 and also in the 50-over World Cup when they shocked hosts India in the final back in November, will not be straightforward.

There is no doubting England’s power in their batting order. Yet the lack of time in the middle for the top seven over the past three weeks because of poor weather both at home and now in Barbados means they head into the Australia game undercooked.

How they would have loved the chance to chase their rain-adjusted target of 109 in 10 overs that was set for them against Scotland – not only for the opportunity of a win but also to get that batting line-up in the groove.

The bowling was hardly convincing either, with Jordan in particular looking a little exposed. The general lack of sharpness in the field was also a worry.

Jofra Archer, the difference maker in this bowling line-up who like Jordan grew up here in Barbados, at least looked the part in his two overs, even if his first was expensive. He will surely only get better as the tournament goes on.

This will all be forgotten if Australia are vanquished at the weekend. How England handle the extra pressure this no result has put on them for that crunch clash, though, will define their tournament.

Beat Australia and a place in the Super Eights will almost be assured given England’s final two group fixtures are against Oman and Namibia.

Lose and the pressure may become intolerable for Mott and Buttler – even if they manage to qualify for the Super Eights, where the West Indies, Pakistan and South Africa are set to lie in wait.

Things fell apart in India when the first signs of adversity appeared. England believe they have learned the lessons of that car crash of a tournament.

On Saturday, we will probably find out whether that is indeed the case.