England haven’t had a particularly good time in the Tri-Series in Pakistan, and I think there is quite a bit to dissect when we look at where they are at the moment, why things haven’t gone as well as they would have wanted, and what the challenges might be for them in 50-over cricket moving forward. For me, the biggest area of interest is their bowling attack. I think they have most of their bases covered with the bat, with plenty of options available, and I don’t see their batting line-up changing too much. They have the resources to put together a strong batting unit. The bowling, however, is where I think they need to focus their attention, particularly with a view to the World Cup in South Africa next year.
Before getting into the bowling options, I think it is important to look at how the current England team compares with the sides we saw in 2015 and 2019. During that period of resurgence under Eoin Morgan’s captaincy, England developed into a formidable force in 50-over cricket and eventually won the 2019 World Cup. One of the things that stands out to me when comparing those teams with the current group is the amount of 50-over cricket the players were playing regularly.
Those players had greater exposure to the format, particularly through domestic 50-over cricket. They understood the nuances of the game, how matches developed over 50 overs, and how to respond to different situations as the innings progressed. They had a better understanding of the ebbs and flows of a one-day international and what was required at different stages of a match. That experience was important in helping England build a team capable of consistently performing at the highest level.
The situation is different now. With The Hundred and the changing cricket schedule, England’s leading players are not playing as much 50-over cricket as their predecessors did. As a result, some of them are learning about the format while playing international matches. I think that is a significant challenge for England as they look towards the next World Cup.
Eoin Morgan had a strong understanding of the 50-over game when he became England captain. He understood the format, its demands and the different ways a match could unfold. When I compare that with Harry Brook, who hasn’t played a great deal of 50-over cricket, there is an obvious difference in experience. Brook is learning and adapting to the demands of the format while playing at the highest level.
That is not to say England lack talent or options. They have plenty of resources available, and I think their batting line-up is well equipped. However, there is a difference between having talented players and having players who have developed a deep understanding of the particular demands of 50-over cricket. That understanding comes from experience, and England’s current group is having to acquire some of it as they go along.
When I turn my attention to the bowling attack, the player who interests me most is Adil Rashid. Looking at the situation from the outside, he hasn’t played England’s last couple of games in Pakistan, having also picked up a few injuries towards the end of the English summer. I understand that injuries can influence selection and that England may have reasons for managing his workload. Nevertheless, I still consider Rashid one of England’s most potent bowlers.
There are questions about whether Brendon McCullum, Harry Brook and the management are looking at different combinations as they prepare for the World Cup in South Africa next year. They have spoken publicly about strategising for the worst-case scenario, and it is possible that Rashid’s absence is connected to that approach. Alternatively, they may feel that he is no longer part of their best bowling combination. I don’t know which of
those explanations applies, but I firmly believe he remains an important part of England’s best bowling attack.
For me, the question is whether England are spending too much time looking ahead and trying to prepare for every possible scenario, rather than consistently playing their strongest available side. I understand the importance of planning for the future, especially with a World Cup approaching. However, I also believe that performances and results in the lead-up to a major tournament matter enormously.
In most cases, the team that wins the 50-over World Cup is the number one side in the world at that point. To reach that position, a team generally has to win more matches than its rivals. That is why the build-up to the tournament is so important. Confidence, performances and results all contribute to a team’s readiness when the World Cup finally arrives.
I think it is possible to overthink the preparation process and lose sight of what is important in the present. Planning for the future is necessary, but it should not come at the expense of performing well now. England need to find that balance, and for me, Adil Rashid has to play as often as possible when he is available and fit.
I also believe Jofra Archer has to be part of England’s plans. His situation is slightly different from Rashid’s because Archer is a multi-format player who is also involved in Test cricket. I understand that he cannot be expected to play every ODI series, and England will need to manage him carefully. There are legitimate considerations around his workload, and I recognise that his availability will have to be handled differently.
However, when I think about what a team needs from its bowling attack in 50- over cricket, I see some important differences between the requirements of the ODI and T20 formats.
In T20 cricket, I think bowlers can sometimes adopt a more defensive mindset. They can show patience, wait for batters to attack and look for opportunities to take wickets when the opposition makes a mistake. Spinners can also look to create pressure by encouraging batters to play attacking shots, with the possibility of taking wickets through catches or other opportunities.
In 50-over cricket, the requirements are different. I believe teams need attacking bowlers who can change the course of a match, unsettle batters and create breakthroughs. Leg-spinners, mystery spinners and fast bowlers all have important roles to play because they offer different ways of challenging the opposition. The ability to attack and take wickets is particularly valuable in a format where batters have more time to settle, accumulate runs and build partnerships.
A defensive approach can work in one-day cricket, but I don’t think it works as consistently well as it can in T20s. Over 50 overs, batters can build an innings, recover from difficult periods and accumulate runs in different ways. Simply waiting for mistakes is not always enough. A bowling attack needs players who can actively create problems and force batters into uncomfortable situations.
That is why I would build England’s attack around Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer, provided both are fit and available. I would also look at the options England have in Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue. For me, those players can provide the kind of wicket-taking threat that England need in 50-over cricket.
Baker has extreme pace, and I think he bowls particularly well when he pitches the ball full. That ability to attack batters with pace and length makes him an interesting option. Tongue, meanwhile, has an awkward bowling action because he falls away slightly, and he bowls effective leg-cutters. He
is an aggressive bowler who attacks the stumps, and I think he can be used at different stages of an innings.
Those are qualities I would like to see England use consistently. Rashid provides the spin threat, while Archer and Baker offer pace. Tongue brings another dimension through his action, variations and aggressive approach. Together, they could give England a bowling attack capable of challenging batters in different ways.
England also have other options to consider. Sam Curran offers left-arm variety, while Liam Dawson and Will Jacks provide spin choices. There is also Gus Atkinson to consider as part of the wider bowling resources. England have a number of players who can contribute, and I don’t think a lack of options is necessarily their biggest problem.
Instead, I would focus on how consistently they use those options and whether they give their bowlers enough opportunities to develop experience together. A bowling attack needs time to understand its combinations, learn how different players complement one another and become comfortable with their respective roles. England have the resources, but I think they need to keep playing their best combinations as consistently as possible.
There are alternatives to Rashid, including Mason Crane, Rehan Ahmed and other spin options available to England. They can explore those players as part of their preparations, but I still see Rashid as a special bowler. I know he is getting older and has had injury concerns, but I continue to believe that his quality and wicket-taking ability make him central to England’s plans.
For me, England’s bowling attack for the World Cup next year should be built around Rashid and Archer, with the pace and variety they bring forming the foundation of the unit. The other options can be developed around them, allowing England to create an attack with different skills and the ability to take wickets at various stages of an innings.
For me, the key is finding the right balance between living in the present and looking ahead to the future. England need to prepare for the challenges that await them in South Africa, but they also need to build momentum, establish their strongest combinations and give their players the experience required to succeed in 50-over cricket. If they can get that balance right, I believe their bowling resources can make them a potent force at the World Cup.
