England captain Jos Buttler said that the team would like to play spoilsport to an India-Pakistan final clash ahead of their semi-final clash against India while speaking at a press conference in Adelaide on Wednesday.
The wicketkeeper-batsman backed his team to win the semi-final against India on November 10 to deny cricket fans a high-voltage recap of the 2007 T20 World Cup final at the biggest stage of cricket. "We certainly don't want to see an India versus Pakistan final and we will try to spoil their party. They are a good team," said Buttler.
While talking about his team's performance in the tournament and its readiness to play in the semi-final, he said, "We have got to the point where we wanted to be. Everyone is excited about playing in the semifinal. Obviously, we are really excited about the match against a great Indian team. We like to be in such a situation."
Buttler also shared news about the fitness of key English players David Malan and Mark Wood stating that they have still not recovered and are doubtful of making it to the playing eleven. He also hinted at Phil Salt being a possible replacement for Malan's position.
"Both Malan and Wood are doubtful. But we would see how they are on match day. We trust our medical team. We need guys to be fit. Full faith in every member of our squad. Going back to the Pakistan tour we gave chance to a lot of youngsters and they did well. Phil Salt has a fantastic mindset, especially for T20Is. He is someone who looks to perform," informed the captain.
The explosive batter, expressing his views on the bowling line-up of India, said that Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar is a very good bowler but he does not fear him. He also stressed the importance of spinners in the middle overs, while talking about Yuzvendra Chahal and labelled him as a wicket-taking option.
"He (Bhuvneshwar) is a good bowler but I certainly don't fear him. India is a very strong team. There are some fantastic players in the squad. I think spinners play a huge role in T20 cricket by taking wickets in middle overs. Taking wickets stems from the flow of runs. Yuzi is a great bowler. He is a wicket-taking bowler," said Buttler.
"We are excited about playing in the semi-final. We know that the way we play we have a chance of winning. We want to stick to our plan. I speak to Eoin quite a lot. He is a great player but I lead the team in my way. But he is a great mate," he said on being asked about the team's game plan and if he takes inputs from England's World cup winning captain Eoin Morgan.
The English captain also spoke about the Indian in-form batter Suryakumar Yadav and said that he has been in great knick but he can be dismissed and the team would be desperate to do that.
(ANI)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)