Greatest England ODI XI of all time

#4 Middle-order

The prospect of Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root batting together would be irresistible

With 4226 runs from just 102 matches thus far, Joe Root is already perched at number eight in the list of England's all time run-scorers in ODIs. It is almost certain that the 27-year old will leave all of his countrymen far behind by the time he eventually rides off into the sunset. A remarkable average of 50.91 is further vindication of his immense appetite for runs. His adaptable batting allows the other England batsmen to take risks without a second thought.

Hailing from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, Kevin Pietersen stepped into Nottinghamshire in a search of greener pastures. Before his audacious stroke-play left everyone in enchantment during the 2005 Ashes, the flamboyant right-hander foretold of his gifted batting skills by reeling off three centuries in a productive ODI series against the nation of his birth. Until his repudiation in the 2013/14 season, he played 136 matches in the 50-over format and scored 4440 runs at a domineering strike-rate of 86.58.

At the forefront of England's recent white-ball revolution, Eoin Morgan has infused dynamism into the limited-overs setup with his imaginative captaincy and enterprising batting. The left-hander has represented England in 172 ODIs thus far and compiled 5156 runs at an average of 37.91 and strike-rate of 91.15 with ten centuries as well as 29 fifties. With Gooch taking up primary leadership duties in this star-studded outfit, Morgan may have to settle for the vice-captain's role.