T20 World Cup: England
focussed on not getting hurt against Ireland, says Jos Buttler
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ICC Men's T20 World Cup, England v Ireland |
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Date: 26 October Time: 05:00 BST Venue: MCG |
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Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary
on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website & app; live text
commentary with clips on BBC Sport website & app |
England will play their "best available team" against
Ireland on Wednesday in an effort to avoid getting "hurt" at the T20
World Cup, says Jos Buttler.
After Saturday's win over Afghanistan, England meet Ireland in
their second Group 1 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 05:00 BST.
Ireland came through the initial phase by beating West Indies
but lost to Sri Lanka in their Super 12 opener.
"Every game is really tough in this T20 World Cup,"
captain Buttler said.
"One-off games against anyone, anything can happen and
individuals can win a game on their own.
"It is going to be a really tough match.
"Anytime you take things for granted or you don't respect
the opposition is when you can get hurt. I think in T20 cricket especially,
there's the one format where it's as level a playing field as any."
England then play defending champions Australia on Friday. The
hosts, who were heavily beaten by New Zealand in their first game, play Sri
Lanka at 12:00 BST on Tuesday but even if they win, a defeat by England could
all but end their tournament.
However, speaking before England trained at the MCG on Tuesday,
Buttler insisted the focus was on beating Ireland.
He gave little away about his team selection amid questions
whether the bowlers, in particular quick Mark Wood, could be rotated with two
games in three days - with England likely to be unchanged.
"With weather around you might try and rest someone and
then have a game washed out," Buttler said.
"It is really important to take every game in isolation and
play your best available team for that day and those conditions."
While the Melbourne weather has proved hard to predict this
week, showers are forecast for Wednesday.
Buttler said his side will be ready to adapt if rain interrupts
proceedings, leading to a shortened game.
"You have a little idea of things you might do if those
kinds of things happen," he said.
"But again, don't want to get too sort of preoccupied with
what-ifs.
"When a situation arises, let's try and adapt as fast as we
can, try and make quick decisions that we feel is in the best interest."
Ireland ready to embrace occasion at MCG
Ireland also trained at the MCG on Tuesday
Ireland went out in the preliminary stage last
year but their young team has reached the second stage for the first time since
2009.
They played a behind-closed-doors warm-up
against Namibia at the MCG but Wednesday's match will be the first time the
side has played a competitive game at the iconic ground, where 90,293 people
watched India sensationally defeat Pakistan on Sunday.
Although Ireland are the second lowest ranked
team left in the tournament - they are 12th compared to second-placed England -
they did win their last match against England, a one-day international in 2020
at Southampton, and famously upset them in the 2011 50-over World Cup in
Bangalore.
"It gives you confidence that Irish teams
have come and done it before," Ireland all-rounder Gareth Delany said.
"There is that little bit of rivalry
there. It is definitely gets the juices going more than normal."
Paul Stirling, the destructive opening batter
and regular in county cricket, is one of Ireland's biggest threats and hit 66
not out in a nine-wicket win over West Indies.
All-rounder Curtis Campher has also impressed
in the tournament with two wickets and a brilliant unbeaten 72 against
Scotland.
