England arrived in Sri Lanka in preparation for a winter devoid of Test cricket. The red ball and whites were to be ditched to ensure that the side entered the World Cup on a healthy dose of the 50-over game. And how they needed it. Beyond a series victory in the spring against West Indies, the summer would be a barren one. Sri Lanka and India both departed English shores with ODI series victories under their belt, exposing the ills of England’s safety-first batting approach under Alastair Cook.

It seemed like drastic changes were needed when England touched down in Colombo ahead of their seven-match series. What emerged was merely a half-way revolution, with Moeen Ali promoted to the top of the order to bat alongside Cook. Perhaps a healthy balance could be found with the brazen strokeplay of the Worcestershire left-hander in accompaniment with the reserved nudges and tickles of the out-of-form England skipper. Alex Hales was also in the squad, but this was a time before England considered deploying two dynamic batsmen to blast their way through the batting powerplay.

Back home, the knives were sharpening. Kevin Pietersen, perhaps not best pleased by his own removal from England’s side, took to social media to call for the removal of Cook.

“Dear Alastair, if you care about England’s chances this winter, please resign,” wrote Pietersen.

Some tranquillity was found in the jungle of Hambantota, where Joe Root and Jos Buttler combined to chase down a rain-affected target of 236 and offer their captain some much-needed breathing space. Nevertheless, a return to Colombo saw normal service resume. While a slow over-rate forced Cook to the sidelines with a one-match suspension, Eoin Morgan was unable to breathe life into an improbable series comeback. Instead, he offered a pale imitation of Cook, with a poor over-rate leading to fines for himself as well as the rest of his side. Hales’ opportunity to shine with Ali at the top would only result in a first-ball duck.

James Taylor was able to provide a glimpse of his talents, battling to a fine 90 from 109 balls. Nevertheless, the iconic duo of Sri Lankan cricket; Mahela and Kumar, would return to rub salt into the wounds of England, a partnership of 96 leading to a six-wicket victory. The nails in the coffin were not to be sealed just yet however, with six wickets from Chris Woakes and a hundred from Joe Root in the fifth ODI delaying the Sri Lankan victory parade.

“I don’t like not seeing the job through – and I can see a lot of potential in this team,” he said.

Cook wasn’t completely wrong. That potential would go on to be fulfilled, but it wasn’t to be under his stewardship. Within days of his return to the country, Paul Downton and James Whitaker broke the news. It would be Morgan who would be leading the side in Australia and New Zealand.

The less said about the World Cup, the better. It wasn’t to be until the return of the home summer that the power of England’s youth would be unleashed upon bowling attacks across the globe. They haven’t looked back.