England coach Matthew Mott said the team remains an ncredibly tight- knit unit despite a 100-run thrashing by India which condemned the defending champions to a fifth defeat at the World Cup. Mott  claims came after former England captain Eoin Morgan insisted that there were splits in the camp which were causing the champions to under-perform. Ive never come across a sports team that has underperformed like this, given the level of expectation, 2019 World Cup winning skipper Morgan told Sky Sports. There something within the team that is definitely unsettled. I think there  something else going on – there has to be.Mott was quick to refute the claims. I dont think that at all. I think anyone that inside our tent at the moment would say that despite our results, were an incredibly tight-knit unit, he said. I can only say from my opinion the group been incredibly strong in that part. If you see our training sessions, theyre full of fun. People are putting their arm around each other, trying to help them. Pressed on the topic and Mott said: Eoin entitled to his opinion. He obviously been away for a couple of weeks with the birth of his child. He hasnt been in and around the rooms, but Ill certainly take that up with him and have a chat to him. Jos Buttler England suffered a fifth loss in six games at the tournament to all but slip out of the semi- final race.

Their bowlers kept India down to 229-9, but the batting once again collapsed to 129 all out against an Indian attack led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. England batting folded for 156 in their previous loss to Sri Lanka, but Mott said the team will not throw in the towel in their next three matches. I think ittough. Im sick of coming up and speaking to you guys about the same thing, but that what professional sport is, he said. And weve got to keep pushing hard here. Weve got a fair bit to play for to the back end of this tournament. The first half we did our job the second half was one would rather forget and we ve got to find a way. There  some world-class players in there that unfortunately arent scoring the runs that they re used to scoring. England languish bottom of the 10-team table with a chance of missing out on the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the top seven teams from this World Cup and hosts Pakistan are expected to compete. However Mott said they got to know about the qualification scenario only about an hour and a half ago Well, the ICC (International Cricket Council) do change the rules quite a bit with qualification and to be honest I dont think it would affect in any way the way weve played in this tournament so it not a big deal,said Mott.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)