"The Arrogance Of England Cricketers"- Former Englishman explodes

Former England batter Mark Butcher criticized England’s approach to ODI cricket following their elimination from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Mark Butcher accused the English team of arrogance, adding that they devalued the format after years of striving to win the 50-over World Cup in 2019.

The 2019 ODI World Cup champions failed to perform in the Champions Trophy despite having a star-studded squad. They suffered an eight-run loss against Afghanistan in a Group B match in Lahore on Wednesday, February 26. Jos Buttler’s team was bowled out for 317 runs while chasing a target of 326.

The Arrogance of English Cricket to Decide That - Mark Butcher

Speaking to Wisden, Mark Butcher stated that everybody loves seeing the English team lose due to their arrogance. Butcher said that they decided the format was not important enough after winning the 2019 World Cup.

"I completely and utterly understand why everybody loves seeing England lose. The arrogance of English cricket to decide that after you strived for all that time to win a 50-over World Cup and then within the next breath, decide it's not important enough," Butcher told Wisden.

"The very thought that you think you are good enough to decide one format isn't worth your time, but still feel that you are up there and deserving of winning these major trophies is part of the reason why people can't stand us," he added.

Jos Buttler, who led the English team to the 2022 T20 World Cup title, has faced disappointment in the last three ICC tournaments. Afghanistan secured their second consecutive win over the English team, following a 69-run triumph in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

You Go There in All of These Competitions With Very High Hopes - Mark Butcher

Mark Butcher said that the English team enters tournaments with high expectations, but their current performances do not justify such confidence. The former cricketer said that England are no longer the ODI powerhouse they once were.

"I feel sorry for the players because you go there in all of these competitions with very high hopes of winning ... but what right do we have to think that you're gonna be good enough to win a 50-over competition?" Butcher added.

England Fall Short by 8 Runs in Run Chase in Lahore

Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first against England in their Group B match. Opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 runs off 146 balls—the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history and the highest ODI score by an Afghan batter. Afghanistan posted a massive total of 325/7 in 50 overs.

England put up a strong fight in the chase. Joe Root scored 120 runs off 111 balls, but they were bowled out for 317. Azmatullah Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, taking a five-wicket haul.

Afghanistan are third in the Group B standings and will face Australia on February 28 in a must-win match to qualify for the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, England, who have struggled in white-ball cricket since their disastrous 2023 ODI World Cup, will conclude their group-stage fixtures against South Africa on March 1 in Karachi.

Also read: Mitchell Starc reveals shocking reason for last-minute withdrawal from ICC Champions Trophy 2025