India could not find a way to dismiss Joe Root throughout the three‑match ODI series, as the England stalwart amassed 249 runs without losing his wicket. That persistence mirrors Root’s belief that England’s 50‑over side is finally on an upward trajectory.
After several disappointing years in the format – highlighted by a disastrous performance at the 2023 World Cup – there are now clear signs that the team is turning a corner. Back‑to‑back series victories under the captaincy of Harry Brook have helped to cement this renewed optimism. The most recent win came against the world‑number‑one side, India, in a high‑scoring finale at Lord’s, following an earlier series triumph in Sri Lanka in January.
In both 2‑1 series, England demonstrated resilience by coming from behind after losing the opening match and then clinching the decisive game. The atmosphere surrounding the ODI squad is markedly more upbeat than it was in November. Earlier in the year, a 3‑0 drubbing by New Zealand – a tour remembered more for Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer than for any batting heroics – marked England’s sixth defeat in seven ODI series. The poor run sparked talk of a possible second consecutive failure at a 50‑over World Cup and even raised doubts about whether England would qualify for the 2027 tournament at all.
At the time, England were languishing in eighth place in the ICC rankings, and with only the top nine teams (including co‑hosts South Africa, who have already secured a spot) guaranteed entry, a continuation of the slump could have forced England into a qualifying tournament – an unthinkable scenario for a nation with such a proud cricketing heritage. That fear has now been allayed.
The side is beginning to resemble a fully functional unit again. While they may not yet be at the peak they enjoyed in 2019, when they were arguably the best ODI team on the planet, they are certainly competitive. Highlights from the victory over India include a near‑200‑run partnership between Ben Duckett and newcomer Jacob Bethell in the series‑deciding match at Lord’s.
Taking advantage of an Indian attack missing fast‑bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, Duckett and Bethell blended aggression with composure. Duckett’s 141 eclipsed Sir Vivian Richards’s record for the highest individual ODI score at Lord’s, and after a recent Test century against New Zealand he appears to have rediscovered his best form following a turbulent Ashes campaign. Bethell, who had already scored 91 in the same innings, also claimed the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma during India’s chase. Coach Brendon McCullum had nudged Brook to bring the left‑arm spinner into the attack, and the move paid dividends.
The partnership between McCullum and Brook – affectionately dubbed “Baz and Haz” by some observers – appears to be working well. Their success follows a 4‑0 white‑ball rout of India in the preceding T20 series, which propelled England to the top of the T20 rankings. There is a growing argument that Brook should focus solely on leading the white‑ball teams, rather than juggling both the Test and limited‑overs captaincy. This could allow him to concentrate on the nuances of the shorter formats and avoid the burnout that can come from managing all three formats simultaneously.
Joe Root, a strong contender to succeed Ben Stokes as Test captain, was the standout performer for England throughout the ODI series. His ability to innovate, rotate the strike, and rebuild innings was on full display. He scored an unbeaten 76 at Edgbaston, a not‑out 99 in the second match, and a composed 74 in the third, which helped England post a record List‑A total of 387‑3 at Lord’s – the highest ever at the venue. Root’s class was evident, though his teammates sometimes fell to rash shots, particularly on the tricky pitches at Birmingham and South Wales.
Brook’s own 16‑run cameo at Sophia Gardens was frenetic, prompting him to acknowledge after the game that England must learn from Root’s calm strike rotation if they are to be serious contenders for the World Cup next autumn. Team composition is another area that requires fine‑tuning.
England opted for a spin‑heavy XI in the opening match against India, likely influenced by the success of a similar strategy in Sri Lanka. Only two specialist seamers – Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue – were selected alongside all‑rounder Sam Curran. While spinner Liam Dawson contributed a vital half‑century and shared a century partnership with Root after England slumped from 61‑0 to 107‑6, his inclusion may have come at the expense of an extra paceman, especially given that the spin department already featured Adil Rashid’s leg‑breaks, Will Jacks’s off‑spin and Bethell’s left‑arm orthodox. For the final two games, England adjusted by dropping Dawson and adding another seam bowler, a move that aligns with the expectation that the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will favour pace.
Archer, who believes he is bowling as consistently as ever, and Curran appear to have secured their places in the side. Since his recall last summer, Curran has added a new dimension with his left‑arm angle and deceptive slower balls, famously snuffing out India’s hopes at Lord’s with three wickets in six deliveries during the death overs. His skill set provides a welcome contrast to the right‑arm seam‑dominant attack England deployed during the ill‑fated Champions Trophy campaign in early 2025, McCullum’s first tournament as white‑ball director. Other pacers pushing for regular selection include Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, the fit‑again Brydon Carse and, when fit, Jamie Overton.
One of them could eventually fill the role of middle‑overs enforcer that Liam Plunkett occupied during the triumphant 2019 World Cup run. Looking ahead, questions remain about the future of Liam Dawson, who will be 38 by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives. Will he still be part of the plans, or will England prioritize younger spin‑bowling all‑rounders such as Rehan Ahmed and James Coles? The upcoming home series against Sri Lanka in September, followed by tours of Australia in November and South Africa in January, will provide further opportunities to assess the squad’s balance and depth.
These fixtures are now events that England fans can look forward to rather than dread, thanks to the positive shift driven by Brook’s leadership, McCullum’s coaching and Root’s inspirational performances. In the shorter format, England have already claimed a 4‑0 white‑ball series win and sit atop the T20 rankings, while the ODI series concluded with a 2‑1 triumph, signaling a promising resurgence for the three‑day and limited‑overs sides alike.