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| Venue: Ahmedabad Date: Saturday, 4 November Time: 08:30 GMT |
| Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. The website and app will also have live text commentary and in-play video clips (UK users only) |
England’s players need to “take some responsibility” for their shambolic World Cup defence as coach Matthew Mott faces criticism, says Dawid Malan.
The holders are bottom of the table after five defeats with their hopes of reaching the semi-finals all but over.
Batter Malan, the only one of England’s misfiring batting line-up to score a century in India, rejected reports Mott has lost the dressing room.
“Motty is not the one walking out on the field,” Malan told BBC Sport.
“As players, we need to take responsibility when we cross that rope.
“We are being given everything we need to perform.
“The facilities and work, everything is being done as it always has been, we just haven’t been able to find a way to get wins on the board.
“It has been frustrating from a players’ point of view because we know we’re better than that.”
Defeat by India on Sunday was England’s fourth loss in succession in this World Cup. In all four of those matches, England have been bowled out inside their 50 overs.
Their only win came against Bangladesh.
“We’ve played six games now and we’ve not been anywhere near where we wanted to be so it is disappointing from that point of view,” Malan said.
“It is really hard to sum up. We just can’t seem to get anything going at the moment or any rhythm or momentum.
“We’re not used to being in this position.
“We can’t put our finger on it and the disappointing thing is we’re not even competing in games at the moment.
“In the past when we’ve lost games, we’ve been in the game for long periods and just not been able to find that formula to stay in the game for long enough.”
On Monday, England’s players travelled back to Ahmedabad, the city in which their campaign began with defeat by New Zealand. They have been given two days off before they will return to training on Thursday.
Saturday’s meeting with Australia, in which defeat will likely mathematically knock them out of contention, is the first of England’s three remaining matches. Afterwards they play the Netherlands and Pakistan.
England must finish in the top seven places to qualify for the Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan in 2025.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be done for that but I’d love the guys to play in that,” Malan said.
“Hopefully we can find the momentum and finish the World Cup on a high because up to our standards we haven’t been good enough.”
By Matthew Henry
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