Jos Buttler says future as captain is out of his hands after Sri Lanka World Cup thrashing

England captain Jos Buttler said he was at a loss to explain his side's shambolic defence of their ODI World Cup crown.

The holders are set for an early exit after their latest humiliating defeat – an eight-wicket battering at the hands of Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.

England are down in ninth in the group, only above the Netherlands, and have lost four of their last five games. Buttler accepts that dismal run means his position will come under threat.

“We're a really good team, done a lot of really good things in the recent past in white-ball cricket, 50-over cricket,” said Buttler.

“You get on the plane with high hopes and a belief we can challenge for the title so to sit here now after the three weeks which have been is a shock. It's a shock to everyone.

“I'll go back to the changing room and look at the players sat there and think, 'how have we got ourselves into this position with the talent and the skill that's in the room?' But it's the position we're in, it's the reality of what's happened over the last three weeks.

“It's a huge low point. You're always questioning, as captain, how you can get the best out of players and get the team moving in the right direction. I have a lot of confidence and belief in myself as a captain and leader – and, first and foremost, as a player.

“But if you're asking if I should still be captain of the team, that's a question for the guys above me.”

England must win their four remaining matches to have even a slender hope of sneaking into the semi-finals.

Chasing just 157 to win, Sri Lanka reached 160-2 with 146 balls to spare thanks to in-form Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Nissanka hit an undefeated 77, his fourth successive fifty at the tournament, off 83 balls