England's Winter of Cricket 2022/23

The Lions are doing some Bazball v Sri Lanka A.

Sri Lanka A were bowled out for a paltry 136, Fisher with 5/34, and the Lions have already amassed 249/3 in 48 overs. Hameed, who's captain, 81 off 109, Lees 56 off 69, and Haines unbeaten with 62 from 72.

The third and final ODI tomorrow. South Africa have done their job and finishing in the top eight, and getting to the World Cup, looks almost certain from here, even if they lose tomorrow. England are in a tailspin with five ODI losses in a row - a loss tomorrow and it'll be England's worst run in the format since 2009. Apparently Salt and Archer will return tomorrow, with Stone getting a rest.

The game is at Kimberley - the last time England played there in an ODI was so long ago that Hussain and Knight were opening the batting, and Mark Ealham took 5/15(!!!!!) v a presumably useless Zimbabwe. All five were LBW. That was part of a triangular series with South Africa, and England somehow managed to lose the final despite reducing South Africa to 21/5. Oh well.

In terms of ODI serie , I think this is even worse : they have now failed to win their last four bilateral series  - something that last occurred previously in 2006. As the imminent  tour to Bangladesh seems certain to be a "C" team rather than even a B due to the above plus franchise commitments we probably shouldn't expect a change to that record !

It really shouldn't matter except for bragging rights as we know they have hardly played their preferred line-up at all over the last couple of years (Covid, fixture clash , injuries) so it is fair to suggest current results matter little. But I guess losing , like winning , can become a (bad) habit so would be nice to get a win or two under the belt.

Maybe fair to suggest this series meant a lot more to SA  - who needed the qualification points - than England , who are mainly fixated on testing reserve strength and rehab for returning players. Motivation makes a difference ?

I agree alfie, winning/losing can be habit forming and right now England have seen to lost the ability to close out games from winning positions. The last 2 ODI's in this series are prime examples of exactly that. It has to affect the lads confidence badly.

So England sent into bat first again... Not sure that is wise given the expected storms later where DL could be employed to get a result.

Roy looked all at sea against Ngidi in that over and he falls for 1... Very poor shot to be fair.

I'm not too concerned at the moment personally about the side - as has been said a lot of chopping and changing and schedule issues.

They have done similar to what they did with the t20s in terms of prep come end of the English summer and pre-World Cup. Scheduled a lot of ODIs in succession to allow for real preparation, if the side is still looking shaky and players out of form then...then I'll be a tad more concerned. Even then, this white ball setup now has so much experience and "know how" when it comes to winning in these big ICC events now, I'd still back them to do well in the tournament itself.

For the established players the coming months for me are proving whether they still "have it" on occasion, and then form will come into it nearer the WC. So this series just having Roy hit that century, Moeen make some contributions, Jofra/Stone return and get through spells etc is more important for those types of players. For your newbies/fringe guys like your Brook's, Duckett's et al it's more about the opportunity to make a case for being part of the squad come WC - similar to how Brook in Pakistan in the t20s forced his way into the T20 side for the WC, Jofra pre 2019 WC forced his way in etc etc

As for the earlier Mo discussions my two pennies for what it's worth...I like Moeen a lot, and think he is a valuable squad member for the England white ball sides, but his returns in ODIs have been poor for a while. I don't think averages are the be all and end all, but there's no doubt in my mind he's underperformed compared to his ability in ODIs, and this is reflected in the stats.
I do think it is very clear he's a really valued member of the squad, and his influence/input in particular is hugely valued by Buttler. So I would definitely have him in and around the squad, and hopefully he can find form over the rest of 2023 to nail down a spot in the XI in India.

Ngidi on a hatrick as Duckett falls. Going from bad to worse this tour.

I think Roy would have much preferred his 100 to come in this innings than the first game. There is going to be lots of questions, rightfully, about his place again.

JDizzle wrote:I think Roy would have much preferred his 100 to come in this innings than the first game. There is going to be lots of questions, rightfully, about his place again.

Its a hard one to be fair. Roy does have a lot of credit in the bank but has been woefully out of form for some time. For me, he stays. It was not that he scored a ton but the way he scored it for me. It was a very controlled approach and I think that he is just about back.

Brook gone now. Ngidi is ripping through the England batting line up. This could be over very soon.

In truth , even when he was in form , Roy was always a bit "duck or fast hundred" ... the big difference being the respective proportions of both extremes. Fair to say they continue to value him for that potential : but you'd think management would like to see a bit more than one isolated brilliant knock over the next few months. Bangladesh might be a good chance for him to get firing on a more regular basis ? As Olly says , form at the end of the home summer is probably the more important yardstick.

Pretty horrible effort so far today ! Didn't much like Duckett getting out in very similar fashion to his dismissal in the first ODI . Anyone can get a good ball early ; but flashing an edge to the keeper almost as soon as you come in isn't a good habit to get into...

Buttler and Malan , I am pleased to see , trying to steady the ship rather than bash away regardless of the situation. Might mean a lower than desired total ; but if they can bat long there will be time to tee off eventually. Looks as if Jos is getting a bit warmed up now anyway at 57/3

A good fightback so far from these two but if England lose another wicket then it will be tough to post a good competitive score.

I do not really like Duckett if I can be honest, maybe a decent T20 player but just does not seem to have the composure for 50 over games. I do not see him as a part of the CWC squad. Hales/Salt easily ahead of him.

Jos

Very valuable fifty indeed from the skipper

Probably about his slowest ever first thirty balls or so - but stopped the rot and now he has a chance to go on and turn it into a big one.

Malan stepping up a gear too as the pitch is getting easier and the bowling less threatening. But England are still going to have difficulties in setting anything really challenging from here , given the way SA have batted in the other two games. "Double the score at 30 overs" looks unlikely to be much over 250 so they'll need a very big late flourish...

What would England do without Butler? He is easily the best white ball batter in the world for me.

alfie wrote:Very valuable fifty indeed from the skipper

Probably about his slowest ever first thirty balls or so - but stopped the rot and now he has a chance to go on and turn it into a big one.

Malan stepping up a gear too as the pitch is getting easier and the bowling less threatening. But England are still going to have difficulties in setting anything really challenging from here , given the way SA have batted in the other two games. "Double the score at 30 overs" looks unlikely to be much over 250 so they'll need a very big late flourish...

300 is still on for me. If these two stay in and start motoring, they can score quickly enough to achieve that.

Well Malan got to his fifty with a rather tasty shot...he is continuing to build a case for himself in this format , though it is hard to see him fitting into an XI alongside Joe Root .

141/3 after 31 so going to require some serious scoring over the remainder of the innings to get near 300. SA will have three more from Shamsi , who hasn't really been collared yet today , and then the four seamers can finish.

Ha. Malan must have heard me as he launches the spinner for six ... And not to be outdone , Buttler does the same to finish an expensive over

Now they're ticking.

Decent recovery so far from Buttler and Malan, 157-3 after 32, which with these two still there and a bit of batting to come, could still see a competitive score posted - 300 is probably a little optimistic, but 275 or so would be a good effort from 14-3.
Of course if Buttler stays in to the end, could be a different narrative.

I am going full on belief for 300

Should be pushing for 320 from here.

Talk about going through the gears ! After pushing singles most of the innings , Malan has gone into overdrive rather suddenly...Jansen copping a mauling last over.

49 runs off the last four overs , which included one quite economical one from Markram. SA have to do some thinking , though I guess the spinners are finished now. They'll hope Ngidi doesn't get late tap like the previous game.

300 certainly "on" now. Might not be enough on this pitch though...

Really excellent partnership this. Duckett had a chance to pressure him for the back up top order batting slot, but Malan is the one who has taken his chance. ODIs are his best format, and yet it is the one he has played the least! Just shows how strong England have been.

Interesting little race between these two to get to the century ...neck and neck at 98 each from 104 balls

Agree regarding Malan - while his T20 record is very good, he does take a while to get going and so needs to bat long to be effective for the team. Obviously in the 50 over game there's more time for just easing yourself in before pushing on, and this was obviously exacerbated earlier today because of the top order failures, but he's been flying the last few overs, and now beats Buttler to his century.

World-class from both, especially Malan's acceleration. And he's given the selectors something to consider. Three ODI tons in just 15 innings is a phenomenal return.

Malan gets there first...wouldn't have bet on that an hour or so back ! His third ODI hundred in fifteen games is a good strike rate

Buttler joins him immediately with another hundred of his own...some partnership , this !

Good last few overs for England - gone at 10 an over from the drinks break and without losing any wickets.
Maybe I was a little pessimistic that 300 was a stretch - with 10 overs left it's starting to look like 350 is the aim. Obviously, wickets are the key there, as losing a couple soon would really restrict the final assault, but if these two stay in until the last 2 or 3 overs a big score is still on.

This is just a brilliant fightback from these two. never lost composure and have both timed their innings' brilliantly. at 14 for 3, I thought England would crumble for under 100.

Oh dear Malan out now though.

Come on Moeen, some destructive batting please, nothing to really lose.

All good things etc...Malan gone for an excellent 118...

246/4 and still nine overs left so something over 300 well in reach now. Question being will that present SA with serious problems ? That's for later I guess. Hats off to that remarkable partnership for now

Bit surprised to see Shamsi bowling again ? Suppose they're all getting smashed now so a change is as good as a holiday...but I think Moeen might fancy facing him first up.

Are SA in over rate troubles here ? Still eight to be bowled and we are some 3 hours 15 minutes in...

They might be facing a point deduction - took them four hours during the second ODI to get through the fifty overs.

Shouldn't make a real difference to their chances of finishing in the top eight.

I really do like seeing Shamsi getting tanked.

350 is genuinely on the table now. Some performance here.

Jos has hit the wall here, absolutely shattered! Might be best he gets out…

Fair to say recalling Shamsi not a great move...both batsmen helping themselves to some pies

Really has been an extraordinary turnaround from 14/3. Going to reach 300 with four or five overs to spare...

SA may well chase down whatever they total , I suppose. But they might be a bit taken aback by finding what looked like being a bit of a stroll turning into a minor monster . The bowlers are losing it a bit - and the fielders too as Buttler gets away with a skied ball dropping between two indecisive fellows. Perhaps their batting will suffer later.

299 and four left...

JDizzle wrote:Jos has hit the wall here, absolutely shattered! Might be best he gets out…

Well he's not needing to run much lately

OUch - hit for 6 on a no ball, and then again on the free hit. Followed by another no ball Bowled off the free hit ball, dso the 2nd delivery of the 47th over only cost 14 runs.
Moeen bowled 2 balls later, but a very useful cameo

Fair knock there from Moeen, a brisk 41 helping England along.

No matter what the final score, this has been a tremendous fightback and even putting England on top.

Nice brisk little 41 off 23 for Moeen comes to an end . Think Sam Curran will have a Licence to Attack ...

Buttler gone now but what a fantastic innings by the best batsman in the world

Buttler played the situation really well - had to do a serious rebuilding job with Malan early on, and has judged the acceleration well. Shows what a class player he is.

The two wickets going now probably mean we'll lose 10 runs or so on where it might have been if Mo and Jos had seen it though

Jos gone for a splendid 131...Captain's Innings indeed

Up to the bowlers now to add some icing to the cake ... But Sam has gone too so I'm betting they'll have to settle for about 340. Would have bitten your hand off for that at 14/3 !

It’s a pretty churlish quibble, but Archer should be batting above Rash in this situation. He’s more likely to bomb some sixes!

100% JDizzle. Archer has some swing on him.

JDizzle wrote:It’s a pretty churlish quibble, but Archer should be batting above Rash in this situation. He’s more likely to bomb some sixes!

That worked a treat...

346. It's another strong position, but SA will still be confident. Pancake of a wicket and some tiny boundaries puts this chase in range.

346 then as SA gift a few late runs with no balks and sloppy fielding...quite an achievement , great stuff from Buttler and Malan

342 wasn't enough the other day. Can England defend this ?

Think I will find out tomorrow - or later this morning. Goodnight all...

If Archer can find his rhythm with the new ball, SA may struggle in the early overs as well.

All set up for a good game. Roy, Duckett and Brook must be kicking themselves as this is a good track and all 3 got themselves out.

JDizzle wrote:It’s a pretty churlish quibble, but Archer should be batting above Rash in this situation. He’s more likely to bomb some sixes!

Rashid begs to differ