Jos Buttler has dismissed the idea that England are losing their cool in the heat of the World Cup campaign, insisting “pressure is a privilege”.
Three defeats from their first seven group games have left the home side’s semi-final prospects hanging in the balance ahead of Sunday’s Egbaston clash against an India team who have just replaced them on top of the world rankings.
If that was not enough to nudge tensions towards fever pitch, opening batsman Jonny Bairstow found himself embroiled in a terse exchange with former England captain and fellow Yorkshireman Michael Vaughan.
He was one of several media pundits who offered scathing critiques after the Lord’s loss to Australia, leading Bairstow to claim there was an agenda against the team and a will to see them stumble.
Vaughan refuted that suggestion in no uncertain terms in messages posted via Twitter and Instagram and cited Bairstow’s “negative, pathetic mindset” in response.
Geoffrey Boycott later tweeted that Bairstow was “making excuses” and added: “You got us in a tight corner, now get us out of it!”
“It’s just typical Yorkies,” Buttler said with a smile when asked about sideshow.
