England's Bowling Coach Discusses Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler Ahead of T20 World Cup Clash

Pre-Match Insights from England's Bowling Coach

As England prepares for their ICC T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, bowling coach Tim Southee shared insights on working with pace bowler Jofra Archer and expressed confidence in Jos Buttler's ability to regain form at the crease.

Although England has not yet delivered a flawless performance, they are set to face New Zealand in their final Super Eight match in Colombo on Friday. Having already secured a place in the semifinals, thanks to Harry Brook's outstanding performance against Pakistan, the team aims to build momentum heading into the knockout stage.

Southee on Jofra Archer's Talent

During a pre-match press conference, Southee, who is New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker, praised Archer's inquisitive nature and passion for cricket. Archer currently leads England's wicket tally in the T20 World Cup, having taken 10 wickets in six matches with an average of 20.10 and best figures of 2/20.

"He is undoubtedly a top-class bowler. I've played against him, but over the past year, I've gotten to know him better. It's been fantastic to see his approach and enthusiasm for the game. He truly loves cricket and bowling, making it a pleasure to work with him," Southee remarked.

Southee emphasized that he doesn't need to provide Archer with specific advice to enhance his bowling, citing Archer's remarkable skill set.

Praise for Jamie Overton's Performance

In addition to Archer, all-rounder Jamie Overton has made significant contributions, taking nine wickets in five matches at an impressive average of 12.55, with best figures of 3/18. Southee noted Overton's exceptional pace and movement, while also discussing strategies for adapting to Sri Lanka's slower pitch conditions.

Support for Jos Buttler Amid Struggles

The conversation also turned to Jos Buttler, who has been a key player for England's limited-overs team for over a decade. Despite his impressive career statistics, Buttler has faced challenges in the current tournament, managing only 62 runs in six innings, with a top score of 26.

"I don't think anyone doubts Buttler's quality. His track record speaks for itself, showing he is one of England's finest white-ball batsmen. However, every player experiences slumps at some point in their career. Sometimes, it just takes one good innings to turn things around," Southee explained.

Striving for Winning Momentum

Southee reiterated that even though England has already qualified for the semifinals, the team is eager to perform well in their final Super 8 match. He highlighted the team's ability to discover various players and strategies to secure victories.

"We had a successful T20 series against Sri Lanka in these conditions. We've won in different ways, which is encouraging, as we haven't yet played a perfect game across all formats. If we can achieve that, it will be an exciting match to watch. Different players have stepped up, and those who haven't contributed as much are close to finding their form," he added.

Squads for the Upcoming Match

England Squad: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (w), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed.

New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert (w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway.