England’s horror Cricket World Cup defence all-but over after Sri Lanka loss

England’s downcast skipper Buttler admitted their greatest efforts had fallen approach wanting expectations, together with his personal performances, and the 33-year-old was at a loss to clarify their poor run of outcomes.

“It’s incredibly tough, an incredibly disappointing tournament. As captain, you feel that a lot,” he informed reporters. “We’ve been short of our best by a very long way. I’m disappointed for myself and the boys that we’ve not shown a good account of ourselves.

“That’s the query we’re attempting to reply. There’s no clear reply. If there was one golden nugget that we’re not doing then we would decide that up. I can not fault the blokes’ efforts, we’re only a great distance wanting our greatest.

“As captain, you want to lead from the front and play well. I’ve been a long way short of my best and that’s filtered through the rest.”