I still think that England will have a better cricket WC than rugby one. But we increasingly look like a side that's a couple of year past its sell-by.
don't think there's much doubt re better world cup than eggball, that lot have been pretty poor in home nations contests and you throw in southern hemisphere and it would be a shock - would be if anyone outside said southern hemisphere won it - only four teams ever have I believe, said region (NZL AUS SAF) and England, ONCE wasn't it?
Anyway I think they are tinkering too much with the side last few games in both shorter formats, and other factors. I think being in India they need to get their squad right, too many quicks for my money, even if you 'need'/play 3-4 you don't need 6, just a sign they ain't got a scooby doo who their best ODI bowlers are
3rd T20I - Livingstone tonked, Rashid not a lot better, not enough wickets to create pressure. Still not a massive target, Malan scratched around and got out so wasted balls getting in, Brook didn't last long enough, very ordinary 8-11 and as I think I forecast at the time Ali didn't get the 70 off 30 or whatever might have won the day but a 20-30 - noone faced more than 21 balls (Buttler with 40 runs) and you can't keep losing wickets and expect to chase or even put on a target.
4th T20I - Jacks experiment ought to have been Jacksed in, Bairstow apart those who got in didn't go on and Brook failed along with Ali. Need to bowl pretty well to defend a lowish total, only Ahmed did
1st ODI - not sure Brook opening was a good idea, if he plays in India he won't open surely not, 80/0 to 101/3 was the problem batting wise, Root then taking up a lot of balls to get in but out cheaply nonetheless, with Stokes and Buttler scoring at around 5 an over which isn't bad but left them a few runs shy. Bowling was poor, don't get wickets, unlikely to win many for all the theories some put out about ER.
Peas poor tail, Willey, Rashid, Topley, Atkinson, for what bowling that gives and batting it doesn't either. Wouldn't want any higher than 9 max, not sure what that was about, hoping they'd show form ahead of the World Cup.
I'd completely rethink the England squad, only about half for me or max 2/3 should be shoe ins.
take for sure (7) :
Buttler
Bairstow
Roy - regardless what is usually said to criticise, he has scored two hundreds in his last six innings, both in 2023 and averages 55.83 in India, SR 118.37
Curran
Stokes
Rashid
Malan
Probables (3) :
Ali - brief cameos with bat, doesn't really take enough wickets and has a poor record in ODIs in India with ball - 1/236, ER 5.88 not exactly way above par either as in not that impressive either
Woakes - serious doubt he'll be any more effective overseas than before - 8 wickets at 35.50 in India in ODIs (ER 6.17)
Root - controversial but he is a little too conservative, may average 50 but at the cost of much in the way of scoring pace in a few too many games. Last 20 ODIs only THREE scores at a run a ball or more, NINE at less than 55 SR including three ducks and 7 off 30, 1 off 11, 11 off 21 and 6 off 15. Maintains his average with not outs, 3 in said 20 innings.
(big or small) question marks (5) :
Wood - fitness and also do England need this many quicks? (at least he is something different ie fast, and can bat a bit)
Topley - unconvincing, been playing for many years but only 22 caps
Willey - unconvinced across the years in spite of 60+ caps,selected more than perhaps merited and this is India
Atkinson - hit the ground running in the T20Is but no real batting and not enough ODI experience
Livingstone - is he a better option than Brook? Is he being selected by reputation of big hitter AND can bowl a bit, too much as we saw in one T20I and the ODI
If not, Malan is there!