England's 3-2 series loss to Australia was the start of their new-dawn as a 50-over side, as well as the start of their run-in to the Champions Trophy in February. However, while we might be closer to knowing their best side in the format, there are still some questions hanging over its exact make-up.
The Australia series marked a crucial point in England's development in several ways. Firstly, they tried several younger or less experienced players in the series, with Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan announcing their retirements from international cricket before it started, and Jonny Bairstow seemingly no longer in the conversation. Jacob Bethell made his debut and played every match in the series, Jamie Smith was given an uninterrupted run with the gloves and Ben Duckett was moved up to open. There was also the inclusion of Brydon Carse, Matt Potts and Olly Stone were also tried in the pace attack.
Secondly, there was an evident game plan in place from England, even if it didn't come off enough for them to win the series. Reminiscent of the approach which took them to 2019 World Cup glory, they went hard with the bat and used their pacers cannily alongside Adil Rashid and their spinning allrounders. And yet, with Buttler still to return after his calf injury, and Brendon McCullum having not yet taken over the reins, there's still an air of uncertainty over whether all these players will make it through to their first major assignment in February.
The most obvious debate England must settle in regard to that tournament is the captaincy. Buttler is still the appointed leader of both white-ball sides, but Brook's performance both with the bat and on the field as captain increased his 50-over stock immensely against Australia. Perhaps it's a question for after the Champions Trophy, when attention will properly turn to the next World Cup, by which time Buttler will be 37, but the natural leadership Brook showed in the series has raised the question as to whether he should take over the job full time. Nevertheless, whichever one takes the captaincy, both Jos Buttler and Harry Brook will be in England's best XI.
"There was a clarity to England’s cricket this series that has often been missing from Buttler’s occasionally listless team over the past 18 months."
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 29, 2024
✍️ @Yas_Wisden#ENGvAUS https://t.co/nW2NQUzDEf
The same applies to Ben Duckett, who scored 305 runs in the series - the most by an England opener in a men's ODI series against Australia. An unorthodox left-hander in the powerplay, breaking-up a line of right-handers - Duckett coming in and scoring runs solved a problem for England on several levels. However, Phil Salt's average of 19.20 in the series could have England looking for a new partner for Duckett. Bluntly, England have a raft of high quality batting talent coming through, several of whom are capable of opening even if they're inexperienced in the position. Salt will likely find himself edged out by them.
With a packed middle-order, especially if England's senior ODI batters come back in, one of those in the middle will likely have to move up. There's a case for Buttler to be that player. It's a move many have called for throughout Buttler's career, to give one of the freest strikers in the game the less restricted powerplay. The main argument for keeping Buttler in his middle-order role has been his ability to finish an innings, for which England have had a shortage of other options near his calibre. Now with the players coming through, that argument is less powerful.
The other options in this regard would be Jamie Smith, Will Jacks and Jordan Cox. Jacks had an impressive series against Australia, particularly his 84 at Durham. While no doubt still in England's plans going forwards, he could find himself squeezed out of his spot at No.3 if Joe Root returns. As could Smith in order to get Ben Stokes back into the middle order. That would only leave one spot left in the top six. Either as an opener or in the middle if Buttler moves up to open. In a straight choice between the two, it's likely to be Smith who gets the nod, as a more consistent and versatile batter than Jacks.
Like Jacks, Cox will also be an option if the likes of Stokes and Root don't return for the Champions Trophy. Stokes has already said that if asked by McCullum, he would enthusiastically return to the format. It's hard to think he wouldn't be. While nothing has been heard from Root on the subject, with McCullum merging the Test and white-ball responsibilities, and the 50-over side and Test side converging in personal, that conversation will be inevitable. If available, it's unfeasible that either Root or Stokes wouldn't be in England's best XI.
5⃣ Boundaries in an over 😵#ICYMI: Liam Livingstone smashed Mitchell Starc for 28 runs in an over on his way to an explosive 62*(27) in the fourth ODI 🔥
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 28, 2024
Watch here ➡️ https://t.co/dAWLJ9QnHQ pic.twitter.com/5AApkUHH6G
Beneath the top six, Liam Livingstone reaffirmed the worth he could hold as a successor to Moeen Ali during the series. He hit two important scores from No.6 - an unbeaten 33 at Durham and a ferocious 27-ball 62 at Lord's. His bowling was also integral, bowling nine overs during the first ODI and maintaining England's lowest economy of the series. Jacob Bethell impressed as his partner during the series, but could see himself edged out to fit Stokes into the top six as the second allrounder.
As for the bowlers, Adil Rashid is as ever the first name on the team sheet. Sharing the spin role with Livingstone, and perhaps an occasional over or two of Root, that leaves three places for pace. Jofra Archer will take one of those spots, either in tandem or swapping out with Mark Wood when he's fit. Reece Topley didn't feature in the series with illness but is still England's premier left-armer.
That leaves one spot for one of Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Olly Stone or maybe even Chris Woakes. Woakes was England's reliable attack-leader for an entire era until the 2023 World Cup, in which he looked a way off his best. He was then dropped for the T20 World Cup. While his Test second-coming has seen him reach new heights as a bowler, a 50-over renaissance might be less forthcoming. Carse and Potts will likely vie for the position, both of whom took eight wickets against Australia, with Carse probably just about getting the nod currently to give the attack a more rounded balance.
England's best ODI XI
1. Ben Duckett
2. Jos Buttler (c & wk)
3. Joe Root
4. Harry Brook
5. Ben Stokes
6. Jamie Smith
7. Liam Livingstone
8. Brydon Carse
9. Adil Rashid
10. Jofra Archer
11. Reece Topley
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