Are England knocked out of 2023 World Cup after 8-wicket loss to Sri Lanka?

England have been virtually knocked out of the 2023 World Cup after the eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka at the M Chinnsawamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 26. Only a miracle can take the defending champions to the semifinals now.

Courtesy of the eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka, England have dropped to the ninth position in the 2023 World Cup points table. They have managed only one win in five matches, and their remaining four league-stage matches are against India, Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan.

While England should beat the Netherlands, they will find it challenging to defeat both India and Australia. Even Pakistan will be a tricky opponent for Jos Buttler's men.

Assuming that England win all of their remaining four matches, the defending champions will have 10 points to their name. Judging by the 2019 World Cup points table, 10 points might not be enough for a team to finish in the Top 4 of the standings. Twelve would be a safer number, but if other results go their way, England can still make it to the next round.

England have an outside chance of finishing 4th in the 2023 World Cup points table

England will have to hope that India, New Zealand and South Africa continue to dominate the tournament the way they have. They will also have to hope that Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan do not finish with more than 10 points.

If two or more teams finish with 10 points, net run rate will come into play. England should aim to improve the net run rate in the next four matches and leave the rest to others.

The defending champions will take a flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow soon for their next match against India on Sunday. If England lose that game, their chances of qualifying will be almost negligible.