After England’s epic Test match in Wellington was over, their white ball side was off to Bangladesh for the first of three One-Day Internationals. Modern cricket is here. International cricket has never seen a more distinct division between formats. International cricket’s carousel wheel spins endlessly as specialist coaches and players consume bite-sized tours. Unbelievably, England has a gap of six months between their next ODI and their next one in the future. This allows for some reflection as the World Cup is rapidly swallowing up the rearview mirrors.
Although scheduling grumbles aside, England won against Bangladesh 2-1. However, the nature of their loss in the final game should have raised alarm bells. England floundered trying to achieve a modest target, but was defeated by the guiles Shakib Al Hazan. Only Dawid Malan’s cool, calm composure saved them from another defeat in the first match. The left-hander scored his third hundred of a productive Winter. England’s accomplishments should not be underestimated, as Bangladesh can be a difficult place to tour. There were many positives, with Jason Roy scoring his second century and Jofra archer continuing his impressive recovery from injury.
Embed from England has had a patchy one-day record since Jos Buttler became captain. Bangladesh’s series win was their first since beating the Netherlands last year. Bazball has been a boon to England’s test team, but their ODI side has struggled. They lost to India last summer and were clubbed in Australia. England was the best of the crop and walked into the 2019 World Cup looking a savior. Morgan’s revival was over, and the newly qualified Jofra archer added to the settled side. England’s red ball side is now free, and allowed to thrill and dance with it. However, England’s ODI side is lacking in confidence and conviction, as it lacks the conviction of Morgan’s world champions.
This is not a criticism against coach Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler. England may not be going to India as favourites but they are not going to die slowly like they did in 2015. Mott has a wealth of talent and England’s depth is admirable. They may have been a little embarrassed by their wealth, as they constantly tweak the side, trying out new combinations and players. This was made worse by the retirements of Morgan and Ben Stokes. Mott has been rightly resting players, while the lures and rewards of franchise tournaments have caused problems with availability. There are some interesting selection problems ahead of the World Cup because there isn’t a consistent selection.
Jason Roy has been a great performer over the winter. He scored two centuries to put an end to the demons of last year and to place himself in pole position for Johnny Bairstow. Johnny Bairstow will almost certainly regain his place at the top. Phil Salt has not been able to capitalize on Bairstow’s injury and has struggled to fulfill the promise he made against the Netherlands. Alex Hales is a potential dark horse following a triumphant return from the T20 side. Mott told him that “the door is still open” for him. If Bairstow is not chosen, Malan will be the number three pick. Malan’s impressive average of 55 runs at a respectable strike rate (93) has been unfairly criticised in the past. England’s opening powerplay batting has declined in the past year. Fast starts on India’s spin-friendly pitches will be critical.
Embed from Things can get sticky in the middle order. They have suffered significant defeats in Chittagong as well as the first ODI against South Africa where they lost to Malan and Roy’s strong platform. Joe Root is England’s number four batsman. Buttler’s side has been missing his calm presence this winter, despite a very lean 2022 in ODI cricket. Root’s ability as a spinner to manoeuvre the spinners with his audacious sweeps, dabs and rotate the strike will be crucial in India. Buttler is a solid selection and he looks back to his best in South Africa. Buttler will likely bat at number 5, a position he has held this winter. Any lower would be a huge waste of his talent. Mott’s main problem is Harry Brook.
The Yorkshireman has been crushing Test cricket bowling attacks, filling Bairstow with great ease. Brook’s ODI career in Bloemfontein is still in its infancy. However, he showed his talent with a stunning 80. How can you exclude him? Brook’s inclusion is not about his ability, but how it affects the balance. Hypothetically, England would only be able to field Brook at six if it had two all-rounders at seven and eight. England used three all-rounders in Bangladesh to allow them to play three spinners. This is something they would do in India.
Embed from They were joined by Moeen Ali and Will Jacks in the second game. They batted at six and seven respectively. Jacks is a formidable talent, a fearsome fielder and a fearsome striker, but Root’s tweakers could help him do the same job while strengthening his batting. Another option is Liam Livingstone. Although his liquorice all-sorts spin and bat is better than Jacks or Root, he has not yet fully utilized his potential in the ODI arena. Livingstone was just beginning to make a name for himself in the side when he sustained a injury in Pakistan.
What about Ben Stokes? England’s captain, Mott, citing the unreasonable demands placed by the schedule, decided to retire from ODI action last year. Mott, a managing director of England T20, expressed his desire that Stokes return to the field after England’s success in world T20. This rhetoric was supported by Rob Key. Stokes was reportedly given a deadline of half-way through the summer to make a decision. If he chooses to return, it would seem that he would be an automatic selection. Stokes’s injury at the Wellington Test may have made it difficult for him to make a comeback.
The rise of Jacks, Livingstone and others has brought some scrutiny to Mooen Ali’s role. Ali’s role in England’s XI has been inconsistent. However, he has not been able to achieve the consistency that made him so important in England’s 2019 World Cup-winning side. His fifty against South Africa at Bloemfontein in ODI was his first half-century in ODI since 2017. Although Ali’s role as a bowler has diminished, his economy rate has improved and his average has increased since 2019. Ali’s ability give some control to Adil Rashid’s attacking approach gives him an edge over Jacks, Livingstone, and he is Buttler’s vice captain, which makes him an important leader in the team.
Chris Woakes and Sam Curran will likely be in a race for number eight. Curran’s power hitting gives him an edge. He also won player of the tournament last year in World T20. England’s success in 2019 was dependent on Woakes’s ability with the new ball to take wickets. However, his ability to move and control the ball in the sub-continent will be severely limited. After being unlucky in 2019, David Willey is another option. Adil Rashid is the man behind him, with Rehan Ahmed, a youngster, likely to be his understudy.
Embed from England has a battalion dedicated fast bowlers. Mark Wood and Archer provide speed and firepower, but due to their injuries, the two will likely rotate in. In India, pace will be key. Lancashire’s Saqib Mahamood, who has just returned from a stress fracture in Bangladesh, will have an advantage. Mahmood’s ability reverse-swing the ball may prove to be equally crucial. Reece Topley, with his cupboards well stocked, may have had a difficult winter, but he showed his talents against India last summer, posting England’s best-ever ODI performance. Olly Stone’s speed and height make him a viable option for the middle overs, possibly filling the “Plunkett” role.
There are very few chances of England winning the World Cup with their next ODI in September. Players will instead look for franchise tournaments to attract attention. With the IPL just around the corner, Livingstone, Jacks and Willey will be trying to make their case. Although England may not be the favourites to win the World Cup, the talent Mott has at his disposal will ensure that they are included. Mott has plenty of selection problems to keep him busy while he tries to find the balance.
World News1 year ago
World News1 year ago
World News1 year ago
World News1 year ago
World News1 year ago