England lacked their usual intensity with the bat as they failed to chase down what appeared to be a relatively modest target of 233 in the ICC World Cup game against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday (June 21). Defeat by 20 runs is the hosts’ second loss of the tournament, who struggled against the variety of Lasith Malinga and then the off-spin of Dhananjaya de Silva as they sought to rebuild.
“We played poorly with the bat. I think we lacked energy. That doesn’t mean trying to hit fours and sixes, it means showing intensity and trying to put pressure on the bowlers,” said Buttler.
