Cricket World Cup: Where does England's 2023 tournament rank in disappointing exits?
- Published
Yet again, we're talking about a disappointing campaign at the Cricket World Cup for England's men.
Having entered the 2023 tournament in India as defending champions, their maiden defence of the World Cup was a disaster to start, with Jos Buttler's side eliminated after seven games.
But for England, this is not uncharted territory, having previously bowed out of World Cups in similarly shoddy fashion.
But how does this 2023 campaign compare to previous failures? Don't forget to rank it at the bottom of this page.
1996 - quarter-final
England were woefully outclassed at the 1996 World Cup
Games: 6 Wins: 2 Losses: 4
England's preparations could not have gone much worse as they suffered a 6-1 hammering at the hands of South Africa a month before the tournament in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Despite defeats by New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan, Mike Atherton's side progressed to the quarter-finals courtesy of wins over the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
However, they were outclassed by Sri Lanka in the last eight with Sanath Jayasuriya smashing 82 from 44 balls as the eventual champions chased down England's 235-8 with 56 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka's then revolutionary pinch-hitting approach at the top of the order saw them score 121 in the first 15 overs. England had no response and exited the tournament without a win over a Test-playing nation.
1999 - pool stage
England went out of the 1999 World Cup before the tournament's official song had been released
Games: 5 Wins: 3 Losses: 2
After captain Alec Stewart and successor Nasser Hussain led them to victories over Sri Lanka and Kenya to start the tournament, England looked well placed to reach the Super Six stage on home soil.
Even after a thumping 122-run loss to South Africa at The Oval, the hosts bounced back to claim a comfortable win over Zimbabwe, meaning they only had to avoid a heavy defeat by India to advance.
India were not the powerhouse they are today but England made them look it, crumbling to 169 all out to lose by 63 runs.
That, combined with Zimbabwe's win over South Africa, meant David Lloyd's team were knocked out before the tournament's official song, 'All Over The World', was even released.
The song failed to chart.
2015 - pool stage
England's outdated style of cricket caught up with them in the 2015 World Cup
Games: 6 Wins: 2 Losses: 4
With captain Sir Alastair Cook sacked on the eve of the tournament, England were unravelling before a game was played and things only got worse.
Demolished by Australia in their opening game, they were humiliated by New Zealand in the next with the Black Caps skittling them for 123 and knocking off the runs in a mere 12.2 overs.
Sri Lanka dished out another punishing loss before Bangladesh put them out of their misery in Adelaide.
The 50-over game had moved on and England's outdated tactics had been brutally exposed. Oddly, though, it proved to be the best thing that could have happened to them…
2023 - group stage
How does England's latest World Cup failure rank?
Games: 9 Wins: 3 Losses: 6
Coming in as double world champions, England were among the pre-tournament favourites and while a heavy defeat by New Zealand in the opening game was disappointing, the expectation was that Buttler's side would soon brush it off and get themselves through to the last four.
They beat Bangladesh but proceeded to fall to a shock loss to Afghanistan before suffering their record ODI defeat as South Africa took them apart.
Sri Lanka dished out another hammering with coach Matthew Mott saying they were all but mathematically out, before a defeat by Australia ended their title defence.
They showed pride to beat the Netherlands and then Pakistan to ensure they finished seventh and secure a place at the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan but it was all too little, too late.