England Faces Tough Decision on the Future of One-Day Cricket

There’s a fundamental truth in life: you can’t be skilled at something without dedicated practice. Rowers, who spend their days facing backwards, might be an exception to this rule, though their routine involves gruelling physical demands that few would envy. Yet, cricket—a game England proudly represents—is undoubtedly a different story.

England's ODI Challenge

At present, England’s performance in cricket is under scrutiny. With a recent string of ODI (One Day International) losses—13 defeats in 20 games, along with three consecutive series setbacks—the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) faces a crossroads: should they reinvest in List A cricket or not?

The Hundred's Impact

The impact of the Hundred, launched in 2021, was not immediately apparent for England's one-day team. The national squad had seasoned players brimming with 50-over experience and World Cup glory. There wasn’t much room for new players then, and those who managed to enter the scene had already gained some List A experience. Fast-forward three years, and England’s new generation of ODI players is stepping up with minimal exposure to the 50-over format. Of the 15 players who made their ODI debut since the Hundred began, only 23% of their List A games were in the one-day format, with David Payne, Sam Hain, and Jamie Overton being the few holding up these stats. For the younger group, those under 29, this percentage jumps to 41%.

During his ODI debut in Antigua, Dan Mousley, who reached his first international half-century, admitted he felt unprepared as he batted at No.7 with 15 overs left, telling teammate Sam Curran he was still trying to figure it out. Curran later mentioned that Mousley was learning on the go, having had limited 50-over cricket exposure. Many in the squad echoed this view.

Phil Salt, another key player, admitted that few team members seemed fully adept at 50-over cricket, simply due to a lack of play. He expressed a wish for a consistent domestic 50-over league, hoping it would help players establish a rhythm, unlike the current start-stop approach. Although England does have a domestic one-day competition, the packed calendar means top white-ball players rarely participate.

This isn't a call to dismantle the Hundred, but rather a recognition of the need for change if England wants to succeed in ODI cricket. Players are expressing a clear desire for more opportunities. Yet, a way forward remains elusive, even as others highlight examples of world-class players like Virat Kohli and Joe Root, who excelled despite limited domestic one-day experience. However, these cases are exceptions, not the norm. Some players, like Harry Brook, may adapt quickly to new formats, but others, like Mousley, need more structured exposure.

It’s not typical for an England team to struggle against teams that didn’t qualify for the Champions Trophy while fielding a lineup of relatively inexperienced players. For instance, Jordan Cox underperformed at No.3, a position he had rarely, if ever, occupied in his four List A matches prior.

Calendar Rework Needed

Salt humorously remarked that finding a solution was beyond his pay grade. Various suggestions have been floated, such as increasing England Lions matches, reviving the North-South series, or allowing Hundred players to participate briefly in the One-Day Cup. However, these options offer no easy answers.

The only feasible solution may be to rework the calendar. Perhaps moving the One-Day Cup to April could be beneficial, giving bowlers a chance to build stamina on fresh wickets instead of heading straight into a two-month County Championship stretch. Salt shared his perspective, admitting he hadn’t yet found great success in 50-over cricket but felt he would improve with more chances to play—a sentiment echoed by others.

While a scheduling clash with the IPL is inevitable, players already involved in the IPL likely have a secure place on England’s team. It’s the emerging talent that needs focus, as they may one day represent the country on the world stage.

Salt emphasised that stepping into the game after a long absence doesn’t yield the best results, stressing that regular opportunities are essential for progress. Ultimately, there’s a simpler path: prioritise Test cricket and focus on T20 for the rest. Given format fatigue and a crowded schedule, maybe something has to be sacrificed. However, if one-day cricket is truly valuable, it deserves time and commitment.

In the end, England must decide if ODI cricket holds enough significance to provide players with the platform to succeed. Only then can they hope to reclaim their former glory on the world stage.