It will be no understatement and no exaggerated claims that for long England's approach to white ball cricket was behind so much of the rest of the world, that it had almost become a laughing stock. A series loss to India at home, followed by an away loss to Sri Lanka, and then came the sacking of Alastair Cook as the captain just before the 2015 Cricket World Cup. However, even as Eoin Morgan assumed charge, the nadir was reached when the three lions were knocked out of the World Cup by an inspired Bangladesh.
This prompted wild reactions back home and justifiably so. Andrew Strauss the new director of cricket stepped in and decided to shake up the entire system. He clearly stated that England will now be ready to match stroke for stroke and in every format. And ever since the 2015 World Cup, the limited overs side has only gone from strength to strength.
An ODI series win against New Zealand, followed by a close 3-2 loss to South Africa and then reaching the finals of the 2016 World T20. The resurgence was for all to see.
And they have continued in the vein, as they have absolutely annihilated Sri Lanka in the ongoing series, by winning the 5-match ODI series 3-0 and then the one off T20 with 8 wickets.
There has been a visible change, and we look at 5 reasons behind these dominating performances.
#1 Roping in specialists
Not long before, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell opened the batting for England in One-dayer, and were followed by Jonathan Trott. Now, Cook, Bell and Trott are fine batsmen, but then even their most ardent fans would concede that they are not quite suited to the fast-paced action of 50-overs. Hence, their approach at the top of the order was stoic and it almost sucked all momentum out of the innings just as it started.
This was recognised by Strauss, and he decided to bring in players from the County circuit who were cut for white ball cricket. Hence, the arrival of Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Sam Billings and the rest. And the results are for all to see. Their approach at the top of the order puts the opposition under pressure right at the outset and this sets a precedent which can be then built on.
Even in the bowling department, they have moved beyond James Anderson and Stuart Broad and have given the opportunity to bowlers who are specialist limited-overs prospect. People who can bowl yorkers at the death, and bowlers who can vary the pace with tenacity. Bowlers like Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Tymal Mills etc., re bowlers who can serve this purpose with aplomb.
#2 Separating the two formats
Not only England, but selectors all over the world are not able to view different formats differently, and the players suffer as a result. For instance, when Alex Hales struggled in the Test Matches, he was not shunted out from the limited overs set-up because of those performances. His 50-over prowess in the County circuit gave him the longer rope in the limited overs side and now he has shown his ability both against the white and red ball.
Also, Strauss had gone on record stating that it was high time, both the formats were given equal importance, and that England needed to stop viewing themselves as a test playing side only. Well, he has walked his talk and some.
#3 A big pool of players
If we skim through the squad of the current England team, there are potentially 15-match winners present, and this bench strength is because players have been given the long rope and there is consistency in selection.
There is a pool of players especially for white ball cricket, and at any point of time anyone can be plucked out and handed the opportunity, and there is a great chance that they will be successful.
Over the 12 months, the results have gone their way and this squad does have all the potential to keep the momentum rolling on come the 2017 Champions Trophy. There is the promise available and there is a belief within the squad, all it needs is consistency in performances.
#4 Trevor Bayliss-Eoin Morgan combination
When Trevor Bayliss was appointed the England head coach just before the 2015 Ashes, not many people were giving him the thumbs up. However, he has transformed the mojo of the team, not only in Limited overs cricket but also in Test Matches.
The Australian has shaken up the stodginess which was so present in the nucleus of the team and has given them the confidence to express themselves with more freedom. This is visible and this is very entertaining.
He has Eoin Morgan for company as the skipper in the limited overs format, and together the duo has been able to establish the team according to their philosophy. The team should thank Morgan and Bayliss for their belief and execution.
#5 Flexibility in approach
While being flexible in limited overs is not a new concept, but it has taken England long to realise this. But now that they have, they are doing it better than the rest.
The team management is not shy to experiment and to express, even if it appears risky at the outset, and this is where the mentality has undergone a drastic change. For instance, Jos Buttler was for long perceived as a finisher, and thus always walked in after the 40th over. This new management has realised that he is a far better batsman than a slogger at the back-end of the innings. Hence, he now regularly bats in the top 4 or 5, and his impact is for all to see.
This is where the thinking has changed and not surprisingly the results are starting to flow in.
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