Stokes laments England ‘not keeping foot on throat’

KOLKATA: Ben Stokes admitted England failed to keep “our foot on the throat” of opponents as the team´s disappointing World Cup campaign ended with a 93-run win over Pakistan.

The defending champions finished in seventh place in the 10-nation tournament, propped up by rock-bottom Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They won just three matches and were defeated six times including a first loss to Afghanistan.

“People will be frustrated and a bit flabbergasted at the way things have gone,” Stokes, who made 84 on Saturday, told Sky Sports. “If anyone knows why things have gone how they have gone, they would be a genius. We´ve struggled to put in consistent performances. We´ve not kept our foot on the throat.” Pakistan still harboured a slim hope of snatching the last semi-final spot at the start of play on Saturday but needed to beat England by 287 runs.

However, their fate was quickly sealed once England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat first.

Pakistan ended the tournament with four wins and five losses. “Very disappointing with the performance of my team, all the players,” said captain Babar Azam, who said the heartbreaking one-wicket loss to South Africa had been crucial.

“We are trying our best but unfortunately we had a couple of loose games. If we had won the South Africa match, I think it would have been a different story.

“But we made mistakes in our bowling, fielding and batting.”

New Zealand took the last semi-final spot and will face undefeated India in Mumbai on Wednesday with South Africa facing Australia in Kolkata 24 hours later.