England may have been the reigning world champions in both 50-over and T20 cricket as recently as two years ago, but they head into the Champions Trophy facing an uphill struggle to reach the semi-finals. They suffered seven defeats in eight white-ball games during their preceding tour of India, culminating in a crushing 142-run loss in the third one-day international in Ahmedabad. That result condemned England to a 3-0 series whitewash, after their 4-1 reverse in the T20s.

Accusations of laziness from India great Ravi Shastri and ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen may be unfair, but the side have now lost more ODIs since their 2019 World Cup triumph than they have won — 32 to 29, with 10 defeats in their last 14.

In England’s favour is that the pitches in Pakistan, where they face Australia in their Champions Trophy opener in Lahore on Saturday, are set to be more to the liking of both their batsmen and fast bowlers than the spin-friendly surfaces in India.

To reach the last four of the eight-team Champions Trophy ODI tournament, Jos Buttler‘s men must finish in the top two of a group that also contains Afghanistan and South Africa — both of whom beat England during their woeful title defence in the 2023 World Cup in India.

The recent India campaign was England’s first since Test coach Brendon McCullum also took charge of the white-ball teams.

Former New Zealand captain McCullum enjoyed initial success as England’s red-ball boss, although the team have since failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.

‘Always optimistic’

Many of the criticisms levelled against England’s Test cricket under McCullum have now been applied to the limited-overs teams.

The all-format charge sheet against England includes struggle against quality spin and express fast bowling, while their only response when an aggressive ‘Plan A’ fails appears to be simply to ‘go harder’ rather than adapt to the evolving match conditions.

McCullum however was typically bullish following defeat in Ahmedabad, saying: “You know what I’m like. Always optimistic. If you go the other way, you’ve got no chance, right? I have belief in us.”

But whether white-ball skipper Buttler remains the right man to oversee an England revamp is an open question.

It was limited-overs coach Matthew Mott who lost his job following England’s lacklustre defence of their T20 World Cup last year.

Nothing that has happened since suggests Buttler is providing the charismatic or tactical leadership to inspire England.

The dynamic batsman, speaking after the India ODI series, said: “I think the fact we’re not anywhere near our potential yet or playing individually or collectively where we know we can be gives us something to look forward to, believe we can get there and be a dangerous team in the Champions Trophy.”

Dashing England opener Ben Duckett has at least been passed fit for the tournament following a groin injury but rising star Jacob Bethell has been ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, England’s attack — which once featured at least one left-arm paceman — is set to be an all-right-arm affair spearheaded by express quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, with much depending on leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Encouragingly for England, arch-rivals Australia will be without key players in fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

They too have just been thrashed, with Sri Lanka inflicting a mammoth 174-run loss upon Australia in the second ODI in Colombo.

England’s quest for their maiden ICC Men’s Champions Trophy title carries the weight of past performances and high expectations across the years. Having conquered both the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy remains the only white-ball title missing from their cabinet. Twice before, in 2004 under Michael Vaughan and in 2013 under Alastair Cook, England came agonisingly close, only to falter at the final hurdle against India. Now, as they prepare for the 2025 edition, a full-strength squad, a renewed tactical approach, and the aggressive philosophy of new white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum offer a fresh shot at redemption.

Strength: England’s strength lies in their formidable batting unit, one that has defined their white-ball dominance over the past decade. The team has been the fastest-scoring ODI side since the 2023 World Cup, scoring at 6.02 runs per over. The presence of Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett ensures that England can take the attack to any opposition.

Root’s adaptability and experience make him a crucial figure, particularly in Pakistani conditions where spin is expected to play a key role. Alongside Buttler’s explosiveness and Brook’s fearless approach, England’s batting line-up is built to dictate terms, balancing aggression with the ability to stabilise when needed.

Weakness: However, England’s lead-up to the tournament has been far from ideal. They have won only four of the thirteen ODIs played since the 2023 World Cup and have suffered four consecutive series defeats. This slump has raised concerns about their ability to perform under pressure in a major tournament.

The inconsistency stems largely from an unsettled squad, with key players missing various assignments due to injuries, rest periods, and franchise cricket commitments. Jos Buttler, their full-time captain, has featured in just six ODIs since the World Cup, and the lack of continuity has disrupted their rhythm.

Adding to their worries is the lack of depth in the spin department. With Moeen Ali retired, the burden falls solely on Adil Rashid, England’s most successful ODI spinner. Rashid remains a world-class bowler, but at 36, questions remain over whether he can shoulder the responsibility alone across an entire tournament. His form will be crucial, particularly in the middle overs, where England have often struggled to contain scoring rates.

Joe Root and Liam Livingstone are England’s only other viable spin options, but neither offers the same level of control or wicket-taking threat. This deficiency could prove costly on subcontinental pitches that often aid slow bowlers.

Opportunity: The bowling attack, however, carries immense firepower in the pace department. Jofra Archer’s return, alongside the likes of Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Saqib Mahmood, provides England with a varied and menacing arsenal. Each of these pacers brings a different strength – Archer’s raw pace and accuracy, Wood’s express speed, Atkinson’s skiddy bounce, and Carse’s versatility as a seam-bowling all-rounder.

If these quicks find a rhythm, they can trouble the best batting line-ups. Yet, England’s biggest concern remains their bowling economy. Since the 2023 World Cup, they have conceded 6.41 runs per over on average, the worst among all teams in this period. This vulnerability was evident in their recent ODI series defeats against India (3-0), where opposition batters capitalised on England’s lack of control in the middle overs.

The absence of Ben Stokes and Sam Curran further complicates matters. Stokes, England’s talisman in high-pressure situations, has opted out to focus on his Test career, leaving a void in both leadership and middle-order stability. Curran, on the other hand, has seen his stock fall due to inconsistent performances with the ball, leading to his omission. Their absences mean England lack a left-handed middle-order batter, which could affect their flexibility against match-ups, and a left-arm seamer, limiting the variety in their attack. Jamie Overton and Brydon Carse will have to step up as seam-bowling all-rounders to fill the void left by Stokes and Curran.

Threat: Despite these challenges, the Champions Trophy presents England with a golden opportunity to rewrite history. It offers them the chance to overcome their spin vulnerabilities, refine their bowling execution, and embrace McCullum’s aggressive brand of cricket.

The “Bazball” philosophy, which revolutionised England’s Test cricket, is expected to make its way into their white-ball setup, encouraging fearless cricket even in challenging conditions. If executed well, this approach could unsettle opposition teams and give England the edge in close encounters.

England’s campaign for their maiden Champions Trophy title will kick off on February 22, against Australia in Lahore. Then they will face Afghanistan on February 26 at the same venue and in the last league match they will face South Africa in Karachi on March 1.

England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

England’s seasoned leg-spinner Adil Rashid dismissed India star batter Virat Kohli for the 11th time in international cricket during the third ODI here at Narendra Modi Stadium. With this dismissal, Rashid has now joined an group of bowlers who have troubled Kohli the most in international cricket. He stands alongside New Zealand’s Tim Southee and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, both of whom have also dismissed Kohli 11 times across formats.

During the Ahmedabad encounter, Rashid outfoxed Kohli with a well-flighted delivery that turned sharply, catching the outside edge before being safely pouched by wicketkeeper Phil Salt. It marked the second successive match in which Rashid had dismissed Kohli in a similar fashion, having also claimed his wicket in the second ODI in Pune.

Rashid’s success against Kohli has been spread across all three formats, with five dismissals in ODIs, four in Tests, and two in T20Is. His ability to deceive Kohli with his variations and sharp turn has made him one of the most effective spinners against the Indian stalwart.

Earlier in the match, Kohli notched up his 73rd ODI half century in fifty balls after opener Shubman Gill brought up his back-to-back half-centuries and soon converted it into his seventh ODI ton in 95 deliveries.

Last match centurion, skipper Rohit Sharma got out early on Wednesday, scoring just one run.

At the time of writing the story, Indian are at 214 /2 in 30 overs with Gill batting at 105 along with Shreyas Iyer, who is at 49

Bowlers who have dismissed Virat Kohli the most in international cricket:

Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 11 dismissals in 37 matches

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – 11 dismissals in 29 matches

Adil Rashid (England) – 11 dismissals in 34 matches

Moeen Ali (England) – 10 dismissals in 41 matches

James Anderson (England) – 10 dismissals in 37 matches

England skipper Jos Buttler sees veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid as the team’s most important player in the T20 setup after his special skills were on display in the third match against India in Rajkot. Rashid put up a masterclass of leg-spin to help England pull one back in the five-match series. He varied his pace beautifully and got the ball to turn a lot more than all other spinners in operation on Tuesday night. The India batters were not even looking for boundaries against Rashid who ended up with figures of one for 15 in four overs. He applied the choke in the middle overs alongside Jamie Overton and got rid of in-form Tilak Varma with a peach of a delivery.

Even in Chennai during the second T20I, Rashid conceded less than four runs per over.

Following the 26-run win, Buttler couldn’t gush enough about the 36-year-old, who has been playing T20 Internationals since 2009.

“He’s the most important player for us, and he always just seems to keep getting better. He’s got so many different styles of bowling, he’s got so much variety.

“One of his great skills is that the first couple of balls he bowls, he seems to work out exactly how he needs to bowl on that wicket, and yeah, he’s an absolute trump card to have as a captain, so yeah, he’s been brilliant the last couple of games,” said Buttler in his post-match press conference.

England had the Indian batters under the pump even in the previous game but Varma’s individual brilliance got the home team over the line.

The visitors were even sharper with the ball on Tuesday and were able to defend 171 comfortably. Besides Rashid, pacer Overton also kept the batters quiet with his variations.

“Yeah, it’s the beauty of being an all-rounder, isn’t it? He (Overton) missed out tonight with the bat, but still impacts the game so much with the ball, so yeah, we know he’ll come good, he’s been playing great for a while now, and he’s a really dangerous hitter with the ball.

“…so the more he’s out here as well, exposed to these conditions, he’s just going to improve all the time, and as I say, guys who can affect the game in all three facets are gold dust,” Buttler, who also praised another all-rounder Brydon Carse.

Still trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, Buttler thinks his team is moving in the right direction.

“I just love the way the guys played there, and Livy (Liam Livingstong with his five sixes) really taking it on in sixes, and credit to Rash (Rashid) and Woody (Mark Wood) as well, putting on 20-odd for the last wicket, got us up to a really good score.

“So, I think from the first ball of the match, the wicket probably looked a bit different than everyone thought it might play, so to have 170 on the board was a really good score.” Buttler added that his men will continue to be aggressive with both bat and ball.

“Really happy with the sort of style that we’re trying to play, and continuing to be aggressive, and taking our shots on with the bat, and then absolutely with the ball,” he said.

The likes of David Warner and Steve Smith did not find any takers in IPL 2025 auction.© BCCI

England’s Adil Rashid (R) celebrates with England’s Harry Brook (C) after taking a wicket during 2nd ODI.© AFP

Former England captain Paul Collingwood believes the Jos Buttler-led side will play four spinners against India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. The veteran cricketer said Adil Rashid is a “golden nugget” for England and will pose a challenge against Indian batters on a spin-friendly pitch at Providence Stadium amid the prediction of rain in the encounter. “He is a golden nugget for the England cricket team. He comes on naturally in the sixth over, I think the one thing about Rashid is, that his wrong’uns seem to be so difficult to pick. And he’s got real good deception. Now in T20 cricket, deception is key. Whether it’s slower balls or being able to turn the ball both ways. And he is looking really comfortable at the moment.”

“Indian batsmen generally play spin very well, but I think Adil Rashid, the way that he is bowling at the moment, we just have to wait and see what the conditions are like. There’s a chance that England could actually go with four spinners themselves,” Collingwood said during the Star Sports Press Room.

“Obviously, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone, who is actually an all-rounder who can bowl leg-spin and off-spin. And you never know, if the wickets are so dry, you can go with Will Jacks as well. So, plenty of options, but I think Adil Rashid is on top of his game, and this is the beauty of the World Cup. You’re gonna have a leg spinner now at the top of his game, confident, up against some of the best batters in the world. And that’s why it’s gonna be such a good spectacle, and we’re all down to see it,” he added.

On the other hand, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg said India would not bring Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing 11 and will stick to Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.

“It’s a day game, so the wicket might be a little bit dry. But this is the good thing about the Indian squad—they’ve got depth in spin. They knew that when they got to the West Indies, they were going to play more spin than pace. But they’ve still got Siraj there that they can bring in, and they’ve got Hardik Pandya, so they’ve got more pace options if they want up their sleeve. Will they bring in Chahal? I wouldn’t bring in Chahal right now. I’d stick with Jadeja. You’ve got to stick with the playing XI that you’re going with,” Hogg said.

He added that Kuldeep and Axar will be crucial against left-handers while Jadeja would be a better option than Chahal if it’s not turning.

“I love the thought of the question, though. Chahal against England would be okay. But there are a couple of left-handers in the batting lineup for England as well, which could do a little bit of damage. Kuldeep Yadav has been bowling exceptionally well, and Axar Patel has been going well. Jadeja hasn’t been that flash, but he gives you so much in the field, as well as with the bat. And he’s a player that, in the right conditions, he can also lift with the ball. If it’s not turning and if it suits pace, I reckon Jadeja is a better option than Chahal as well. So, I’d stick with Jadeja,” Hogg added.

England vs South Africa: Super Eight – Match 5 Preview

Super Eight – Match 5 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024, features England taking on South Africa. This match is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on June 21 at 08:00 PM IST.

Match Background

England comes into this match with a strong performance, having defeated West Indies by eight wickets in their first Super Eight game. Similarly, South Africa emerged victorious against the USA, winning by 18 runs.

The last time these two teams met in a T20I was in July 2022, during South Africa’s tour of England, where David Willey and Tabraiz Shamsi were the standout performers for their respective teams.

Head-to-Head

In their 25 T20I encounters, England’s bowlers have generally outperformed, contributing the most fantasy points, while South Africa’s batters have been the primary point earners for their side. This match will test the skills and strategies of both teams as they vie for a crucial win.

Key Players to Watch

Philip Salt (ENG)

Philip Salt, a top-order right-handed batter and wicketkeeper, has scored 147 runs in his last five matches, showing consistent performance. His ability to score quickly at the top will be crucial for England.

Adil Rashid (ENG)

Adil Rashid, England’s leg-break bowler, has taken six wickets in his last five matches. His knack for taking wickets in the middle overs makes him a key player for England’s bowling attack.

Sam Curran (ENG)

Sam Curran, a versatile all-rounder, has scored 91 runs and taken four wickets in his last five matches. His contributions with both bat and ball will be vital for England’s success.

Ottneil Baartman (SA)

Ottneil Baartman, a right-arm medium-fast bowler, has been impressive with eight wickets in his last five games at an average of 11.6. His ability to strike early will be crucial for South Africa.

Tristan Stubbs (SA)

Tristan Stubbs, a right-handed batter, has shown potential with scores of 20, 27, 0, 33 and 13 in his last five matches. His middle-order stability will be important for South Africa.

Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)

Tabraiz Shamsi, a slow left-arm chinaman bowler, has taken six wickets in his last four matches at an average of 15.8. His spin bowling will be key in restricting England’s scoring rate.

England and West Indies are set to clash in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have played four matches in the tournament so far. England qualified for the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage as the second-placed team in Group B behind arch-rivals Australia. Meanwhile, the West Indies secured their place in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage after finishing at the top of Group C standings with eight points from four games.

The last time these two teams met was in the fifth T20I of England’s tour of the West Indies in 2023. In that match, Adil Rashid was the top fantasy performer for England with 67 points, while Gudakesh Motie led for the West Indies with 101 fantasy points.

Recent Performances:

England: In their most recent match against Namibia, England secured a win by 41 runs using the DLS method. Harry Brook was the standout fantasy player, earning 85 points.

West Indies: Their last match in this series saw them achieve a commanding victory over Afghanistan by 104 runs. Nicholas Pooran was the top fantasy player with 146 points.

Key Players to Watch

West Indies:

Johnson Charles:

A dynamic right-handed top-order batter, has been in solid form recently. Over his last 5 matches, Charles has amassed 127 runs, boasting an average of 25.4 runs per match. His consistent performance at the top of the order provides a reliable foundation for the West Indies’ batting lineup, making him a crucial player in their quest for victory.

Alzarri Joseph:

A formidable right-arm fast bowler, has been delivering impressive performances lately. In his last 4 matches, Joseph has taken 9 wickets, maintaining an outstanding average of 9.9. His recent encounters against England have been particularly fruitful, as he has claimed 6 wickets, showcasing his ability to trouble their batting lineup. Additionally, Joseph has a commendable track record at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, where he has taken 4 wickets in his last 4 matches.

Akeal Hosein:

A skilled slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has been in excellent form, claiming 9 wickets in his last 4 matches at an exceptional average of 6.9. His ability to dismantle batting lineups has been evident, particularly against England, where he has taken 5 wickets in recent encounters. Additionally, Hosein has shown proficiency at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, securing 2 wickets in his last 4 matches at this venue. His consistent performances make him a critical component of the West Indies’ bowling attack.

England:

Sam Curran:

Sam Curran, a versatile all-rounder, has made significant contributions both with the bat and ball. In his recent outings, he has scored 85 runs in three matches, demonstrating his capability to add valuable runs lower down the order. With the ball, Curran has taken 3 wickets at an average of 29 per match. His track record against the West Indies is notable, as he has consistently taken wickets in their encounters, making him a key player for England.

Phil Salt:

Phil Salt, a right-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has been a reliable performer for England. Over his last 5 matches, Salt has accumulated 105 runs, averaging 26.25 runs per match. His role at the top of the order is crucial in providing a solid start, and his ability to keep wickets adds depth to the team’s lineup. Salt’s recent form highlights his importance in England’s batting strategy.

Adil Rashid:

Adil Rashid, a proficient leg break bowler, has been a standout performer with 7 wickets in his last 5 matches, averaging 26.8. His success against the West Indies is particularly impressive, having taken 7 wickets in recent games against them. Rashid’s ability to take crucial wickets in the middle overs makes him an invaluable asset to England’s bowling unit. His recent form and experience will be pivotal in England’s efforts to control the game.

Conclusion

The upcoming clash between England and the West Indies promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams are determined to secure a victory and enhance their positions in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024. Fans can expect a high-intensity game filled with remarkable performances, as both teams strive to outplay each other and move closer to their ultimate goal of winning the T20 World Cup.