ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Can England Still Make Semi-finals? Qualification Scenario Explained

Not even in their wildest dreams would defending champions England have envisaged such a torrid start to their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign. The Jos Buttler-led side have lost three of their first four games, including a demoralizing 229-run defeat to South Africa on Saturday night in Mumbai. The setback has left England with a mountain to climb in their quest for retaining the title. The English side are currently languishing in the ninth spot on the points table, with just two points to show from their solitary win against Bangladesh. (ENG Vs RSA Highlights | Full Coverage)

Though five teams - Bangladesh, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, England and Afghanistan - hold two points each currently, England's net run rate of -1.248 is the second worse in the competition, and only marginally better than Afghanistan's NRR of -1.250. England have five more games to go, and they must win all five of them if they wish to harbour hopes of semi-final qualification.

Winning all five remaining games will take England to 12 points, which should most likely be enough for a berth in the last-four knock-out stage. But any loss from here on would spell doom for the English side, as a tally of 10 points will not be enough for qualification. Effectively, this means that the holders need to win seven games in a row to retain their 2019 title.

But that appears to be a tall order, especially considering that two of England's five remaining matches are against the unbeaten hosts India and five-time champions Australia. On their current form, it seems to be difficult to turn things around this dramatically.   

Buttler too admitted that it will be very tough from this point for his team to qualify for the semi-finals. "It is going to be incredibly difficult. We have not left ourselves any margin from this point on. But we will keep the belief," he said at the post-match press conference after the defeat to South Africa. 

"It certainly leaves us in a tough position. There is no room for error from hereon in. That is going to be incredibly tough, but we will sit down and go again. That is all you can do in this situation,” Buttler added.