World Cup 2019 | 'He is the new Dhoni of world cricket': Australia coach Justin Langer heaps praise on Jos Buttler ahead of England vs Australia match

Reigning World Champions Australia will be locking horns against hosts and title favourites England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 clash at the 'Mecca of Cricket', Lord's on Tuesday. The Aussies are at the second position after registering five wins from six matches with 10 points. Their solitary loss had come against India. On the other hand, England are at the fourth position after four wins from six games with eight points including two losses. While the Eoin Morgan-led side had lost to Pakistan, Sri Lanka caused a huge upset as they got the better of the hosts by 20 runs. 

Coming back to England's clash against Australia, Aussie coach Justin Langer has praised the opposition. The former Australian opening batsman hopes that the English wicket-keeper batsman and one of their best finishers, Jos Buttler will get out for a duck against the five-time World Champions. Langer also termed Buttler as the new MS Dhoni of world cricket. At the same time, the Australian coach also said that Buttler is an unbelievable athlete and an incredible finisher and that he had seen him at Somerset.

Langer had a stint in the English domestic game with southwest side Somerset, where he first encountered a young Jos Buttler. The England vice-captain is now regarded as one of the quickest-scoring and most innovative batsmen in the game today, with Langer nominating the wicketkeeper-batsman as the natural successor to veteran India great MS Dhoni.

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The 48-year-old also added that England have a very strong batting unit and they will have to be right on it. Langer also added that England were the team to beat in the ongoing quadrennial event despite their stunning loss to Sri Lanka. 

England's seemingly assured path to the semi-finals now looks a lot less smooth after a 20-run reverse at Headingley followed an earlier group-stage defeat by Pakistan. With four wins and two losses, England is currently fourth on the World Cup points table. They next face arch-rivals Australia at Lord's on Tuesday, with the reigning champions in fine form after winning five of their six pool games so far -- the only blot on their record a defeat by title rivals India.

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But Langer said England fully deserved their place at the top of the one-day international rankings, having climbed to the summit from the ruins of a woeful first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup. Langer believes that England are the best side in the world at the moment with their deep batting and clinical bowling. He added that the game against England is going to be a cracker of a match and he is excited facing England in the World Cup at Lord’s.

(With inputs from PTI)