England ODI series – How to improve

With 2 games gone so far and two more losses for England, this tour from hell appears impossible to get any worse. Leaving aside the test problem issues, there are simple but needed improvements that should be made in my opinion to the ODI team so that we can even begin to hope of any success in the World Cup this time next year. I don’t think that the problem is that complex, there are three areas where England must improve: batting, bowling and fielding.

Fielding

Despite a much improved performance today in comparison to the first ODI (particular mention must be given to Chris Jordan for the wonderful reflex catch), I would still like to see more athleticism in the England fielding. Especially, in the middle overs, we appear a bit lackadaisical. Can easily be improved though.

Batting

Around the world, teams use the first ten overs to create a good start which can then be consolidated in the middle overs. With fielding restrictions in place, it is a perfect opportunity to get quick runs before the field retreats to the boundary. Alistair Cook has never been an aggressive batsman, but can be a calming influence throughout the innings. However, to then put Joe Root in at three whilst struggling to hit the ball of the square immediately sets England off on the wrong foot. Australia on the other hand, beginning the innings with Finch, Warner and Watson immediately start the innings in a positive manner.

It is not a problem of lacking talent. England do have that in aplenty. In my last post, I spoke about the option of putting Luke Wright at the top of the order to get the innings off to a good start and considering his form in the Big Bash, I still think that’s the best option. However, if not England could consider Alex Hales, the No.1 ranked T20 batsman in the world. We know that he can score at a fast rate and has proven this against high-class opponents for England in the past. Not only do I think that this would encourage a high run rate at the start of the innings but it would also allow Ian Bell to move to the middle of the order where he is much more suited in my opinion.

Bowling

The problem with the England selection is that they fail to choose the best five bowlers available. Which batting line up in the world would be scared of facing Rankin, Jordan, Stokes and Bresnan with Bopara/Root as the fifth bowler? In my opinion, we should select bowlers on their credentials with the ball and not by the fact that they can bat a bit. Tim Bresnan has entered this team because of this for too long. He’s not a good enough bowler nor a good enough batsman but because he can do both, he is selected. 

Also, I hope I’m not alone in questioning the selection of Boyd Rankin. Cook only trusted him to bowl seven overs today and seems very much short of pace. I just hope that Ashley Giles’ influence in Warwickshire has anything to do with his selection. I just wish we would select our best five bowlers: Stokes, Broad, Anderson, Jordan and Tredwell and not worry about being short of runs. 

Although the issues with the ODI squad are not as serious or as worrying as the Test Team, I hope England become proactive with their team selection in order to start celebrating some success.

The Mysterious Case of Luke Wright

Recently, Luke Wright appears to have become the first English T20 specialist having played for Melbourne Stars and Pune Warriors to name a few. It’s also not a lie to say that he has been relatively successful. Only last Thursday, he smashed 49 off just 20 balls to collect his second consecutive man of the match award. However, although he is probably very happy, earning his millions in the franchise competitions, I personally can’t help but think that he is a player who could have been so successful for England.

I can remember Luke Wright’s debut against India in 2007. One of my friends was going to the game and I told him to watch out for Luke Wright. I had watched him on the TV just a couple of months earlier witnessing a quick-fire hundred in the Pro40 and could see the talent on show. Not to disappoint, Wright hit a run a ball 50 and impressed once again.

However, you can’t help but feel that his international career has ever really got going. In his other 48 ODI’s, he only hit one other fifty, finding himself at various positions throughout the order and without much stability. The talent is still there – no doubt about it. Only last year at the World T20, he hit England’s joint highest score with 99 not out, showing the qualities that impressed me in that first ever televised match for Sussex. However, he has never really been a secure member of an England side.

On BBL commentary, the commentators questioned why Luke Wright isn’t a regular member of the limited overs side and this is understandable. Afterall, all they have witnessed is his electrifying performances in these T20 leagues. However, most fans seem to regard him as a failure, a wasted talent.

Now, I feel is the perfect opportunity to bring him back into the England setup. A lot of criticism has been directed at the squad for their slow starts to the innings and not making the use of the Powerplay overs. Having Luke Wright as a pinch hitting opener, would mean that we can get off to better starts and follow other teams in reaching 300 on a regular basis. Also, it means we can move Ian Bell back down to the middle order where he is much better suited. We can still have the Buttler’s and the Morgan’s finishing the innings in style, but hopefully a pinch hitter will mean that they do not have to play catch up in order to post a respectable total. Also, Luke Wright is a better player now than ever before and deserves another chance. If England want to become the best ODI side in the world, their team selection needs to be proactive not reactive.

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