Brendon McCullum’s first series as white ball coach gave England fans a renewed sense of optimism expecting him to have the transformative effect, he had on the Test side when he took over in 2022.
In contrast, England’s Champions Trophy preparations have been nothing short of a disaster, having been hammered by India. They lost the T20 series 4-1 and were then whitewashed 3-0 in the ODI series. Losing to India in their home conditions is no disgrace and something that England are used to across all formats. As always, however, it is the manner of the defeat as opposed to the defeat itself. Across the series the side were bowled out 6 times, the other two times they lost 9 wickets. While it is true that Atkinson, Overton, Rashid and Archer can all contribute with the bat, it isn’t their responsibility. Harry Brook, a generational talent and mainstay in England’s top 6 looks void of all confidence having had his frailties against spin exposed once again.
A sharp contrast with Morgan/Bayliss era
England couldn’t be any further from the team that won the 2019 world cup under Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss’s leadership. The stark contrast between the sides is showed by the results, England have lost the last 4 ODI series off the back of their abject performance at the 50 over World Cup in India. Morgans side won 18/23 series as well as the 2019 world cup, an astonishing record, while holding the record for the top 3 totals in ODI cricket. Key to those results was that Morgans squad rarely changed. England had a balanced, talented and explosive XI, all comfortable with their role in the side. The XI only changed just before the World Cup to accommodate the then injury free and exciting prospect of Jofra Archer.
Going into this Champions Trophy, England appear to have little idea what their best side is.
What side do they pick?
Injuries impact any major tournament. The loss of Jacob Bethell to a hamstring injury is a blow as his brief international career has been sparkling. Having made an eye-catching 51 in Nagpur before his injury, he would have been in England first choice side aided by his ability to get through a few useful overs with the ball. His replacement, the Somerset 26-year-old Tom Banton, an aggressive batsman with the ability to bat anywhere in the order as well as being able to keep wicket (something England have in spades) hadn’t played for England in more than 3 years prior to appearing in the final India ODI. His was a handy contribution of 38 in a losing chase batting at 3.
While Jamie Smith missed the ODI series against India with a calf issue picked up in the third T20 in Rajkot, he is fit enough to be in the squad. Whether he will be selected in England’s team to face Australia in their first game on Saturday is up for debate. His fledgling ODI career is unremarkable at best. In 7 matches he averages 22 with a high score of 49. In Smith’s favour is his relationship with Brendon McCullum who bought him into the Test side for his debut in the England summer when he impressed.
Who should keep?
Butler shouldn’t keep. Being captain, keeping as well as being the sides best batter is likely to lead to him doing neither of those rolls to the best of his ability. It is between Salt and Smith. Salt’s form is another problem. While he did get England off to fast starts with scores of 43, 26 and 23 in India, England need far more than just starts. If he doesn’t perform, the ongoing debate of why England got rid of Bairstow and Roy who were so prolific in the white ball format will continue to intensify.
For all the worries about the sides batting as their top 6 struggle to determine the tempo for batting in this format, their bowling has looked toothless. While conditions in Pakistan will suit their attack more than in India, the reality is that it lacks quality. England’s treatment of Liam Dawson hasn’t come under as much scrutiny as it should have. His addition to the side would have added quality in the spin department, aiding England’s greatest white ball bowler ever, Adil Rashid as well as adding much needed depth to the batting line up. England look to be a batter light in whatever Xi they pick. As fun as Wood and Archer are to watch, they are made of glass. It will be very surprising if either of them plays all 3 of England’s group games. There is an argument for Archer not being in England’s best side having gone for so many runs in the India series. where he lacked control.
This England side desperately need a result. It does not matter how exciting the match is if you keep losing, something that McCullum at times fails to grasp. His relaxed approach, although early days in this format, didn’t have the desired effect in India and is under scrutiny. It is conceivable that England lose all their group games to Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan. When everything is going well, they can play as much golf and miss as many training sessions as they like. If they do not perform, that approach looks cavalier at best and at worst unprofessional.
