Buttler stays cool as England start feeling the heat

Vaughan slams Bairstow’s negativity

Jos Buttler has dismissed the idea England are losing their cool in the heat of the World Cup campaign.

Three defeats from their first seven group games have left the home side’s semi-final prospects hanging in the balance ahead of tomorrow’s clash against an India team that has replaced them on top of the world rankings.

If that was not enough to nudge tensions towards fever pitch, opening batsman Jonny Bairstow found himself embroiled in a terse exchange with former England captain and fellow Yorkshireman Michael Vaughan.

He was one of several media pundits who offered scathing critiques after the Lord’s loss to Australia, leading Bairstow to claim there was an agenda against the team and a will to see them stumble.

Vaughan refuted that suggestion in messages posted to Instagram and Twitter, citing Bairstow’s “negative, pathetic mindset” in response.

Geoffrey Boycott later tweeted that Bairstow was “making excuses” and added: “You got us in a tight corner, now get us out of it!”

“It’s just typical Yorkies,” Buttler said with a smile when asked about the spat.

Buttler made no attempt to downplay the importance of their next game.

Instead, he revelled in the elevated stakes.

“It’s a massive occasion,” he said. “You talk about pressures, external pressures, well pressure is a privilege sometimes. We’re in a very privileged position to be in this situation. These are the games you look back on, or at the start of your career, that you hope you’re part of. “It’s going to be a great occasion. “We know the support India will get, wherever they go in the world they get great support. We hope we get great support too and that it’s a great game.”

Jos Buttler says it is a privilege to be under pressure. Picture: PA.