India could not find a way to dismiss Joe Root during the recent One‑Day International (ODI) series, as the English batsman compiled an unbeaten 249 runs across the three matches. Root’s resilience with the bat mirrors a broader resurgence in England’s 50‑over side, which after several difficult years – highlighted by a disastrous performance at the 2023 World Cup – is finally showing signs of life.
The turnaround is evident in back‑to‑back series victories under the leadership of Harry Brook. The most recent win came against the world‑number‑one Indians, sealed with a high‑scoring triumph at Lord’s, and it followed a series win in Sri Lanka earlier this year. In both 2‑1 series, England demonstrated the mental toughness to recover from a 1‑0 deficit and clinch the deciding match, a quality that was missing in the gloom of November.
The mood around the ODI squad has shifted dramatically. A 3‑0 loss in New Zealand earlier in the season – a tour that is now remembered more for Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer than for any cricketing drama – marked England’s sixth defeat in seven ODI series.
At the time, pundits were speculating whether England were headed for another World Cup disappointment in 2027, or even whether they would qualify at all, given their eighth‑place ranking. Only the top nine teams – with co‑hosts South Africa already assured a place – are guaranteed entry, so a further slide could have forced England into a qualifying tournament.
That prospect has now been alleviated. England are beginning to resemble a fully‑functional unit again. While they may not yet be at the peak they reached in 2019, when they were arguably the best 50‑over side on the planet, they are certainly competitive. Highlights from the victory over India include a near‑200‑run partnership between Ben Duckett and new opening partner Jacob Bethell in the decisive Lord’s encounter.
Taking advantage of an Indian attack missing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, Duckett and Bethell blended aggression with composure. Duckett smashed 141, surpassing Sir Vivian Richards 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 complemented his 91 with a crucial wicket – that of Rohit Sharma – during India’s solid but ultimately unsuccessful chase. Head coach Brendon McCullum had nudged Brook to bring the left‑arm spinner into the attack, a move that paid dividends. The partnership between McCullum and Brook (often jokingly referred to as “Baz and Haz”) seems to be working, especially after England’s 4‑0 white‑ball sweep of India in the preceding T20 series, which propelled them to the top of the T20 rankings.
There is a growing argument that Brook should focus solely on white‑ball captaincy, rather than juggling the Test role as well. This would allow him to concentrate on the formats where England are currently thriving. Meanwhile, Joe Root – a potential successor to 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 evident in three consecutive unbeaten knocks: 76* at Edgbaston, 99* in the second match, and 74* in the third, which helped England post a record List A total of 387‑3 at Lord’s. Root’s class, however, highlighted the inconsistency of his teammates in the first two games, where several players fell to rash shots on the pitches in Birmingham and South Wales. Brook’s own 16‑run cameo at Sophia Gardens was frenetic, prompting him to acknowledge after the match that England must learn from Root’s calm strike‑rotation as they prepare for the World Cup next autumn.
The side still appears vulnerable on surfaces that offer a little assistance to bowlers, a weakness reminiscent of the Test team’s recent struggles. Selection balance is another area that needs 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 Liam Dawson contributed a vital half‑century and shared a hundred‑run partnership with Root after England slumped to 61‑0, his inclusion may have been a misstep; the hosts arguably required an extra paceman, especially since spin was already well‑covered by Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, and Bethell. For the final two games England adjusted the balance, dropping Dawson and adding another seamer. Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, which will be played on pace‑friendly pitches in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, a stronger seam attack will be essential. Archer, who believes he is bowling more consistently than ever, and Curran appear to have secured their places in the core XI.
Since his recall last summer, Curran has added a new dimension with his left‑arm angle and clever slower balls, famously taking three wickets in six deliveries at the death to snuff out India’s hopes at Lord’s. Other pacers pushing for regular spots include Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, the fit‑again Brydon Carse, and, when fully fit, Jamie Overton. One of them could eventually fill the role of middle‑overs enforcer that Liam Plunkett provided during the victorious 2019 World Cup campaign.
As for Liam Dawson, who will be 38 by the time the 2027 tournament arrives, England must decide whether to retain an experienced spinner or accelerate the development of younger spin‑bowling all‑rounders such as Rehan Ahmed and James Coles. England’s ODI progress will be further tested when they host Sri Lanka for a three‑match series in September, followed by tours of Australia in November and South Africa in January 2027.
These upcoming contests are now viewed with optimism by English fans, who can look forward to competitive cricket rather than dread, thanks to the positive influence of Brook, McCullum and Root. In summary, England have moved from a period of ODI doldrums to a phase of genuine improvement. The team has shown character, adaptability, and the ability to win crucial matches against top opposition.
With a balanced squad, clear leadership, and a renewed belief in their capabilities, England appear well‑positioned to make a strong challenge at the next World Cup.