NEWS
Follow UsFollowing back-to-back defeats in the first two matches of the five-match ODI series against Australia, former England captain Eoin Morgan said Harry Brook has had a “baptism of fire” as England’s stand-in white-ball skipper.
In the first ODI, England were 213/2 in 32.3 overs but lost eight wickets in the space of 102 runs and were bowled out for 315 in 49.4 overs. Travis Head then smashed 154* to get Australia over the line with six overs and seven wickets to spare.
Then in the second ODI at Headingley, Australia were bowled out for 270 in 44.4 overs but England failed to chase that down as well. The hosts were bundled out for just 202 in 40.2 overs. Brook himself has struggled to get going in this series, managing scores of 39 and 4 in the first two encounters.
Brook is captaining England in the absence of Jos Buttler who is recovering from a calf injury he sustained in July. "I think the positives from Trent Bridge (first ODI) would have been the batting department," Morgan told Sky Sports Cricket.
"Both Ben Duckett and Will Jacks, the partnership they formed in getting them up to a good platform, and a forward-facing commanding score against a strong Australia side. Today it is probably with the ball. They weren't as consistent as Australia would have been if they bowled first but that is just experience, consistency, skill that is produced by two different sides going through two different cycles.
"It is a baptism of fire for Brook at the moment. It is pretty large defeats against a very, very good side. We talk about the impact of the experience, quality that Australia bolstered their attack with today and that was evident in the run chase.
“Chasing 270 on the really flat wicket here should be reasonably easy. The run-rate was never a concern but continuously losing wickets and not really finding the mantra Brook has talked about. He talked about being more positive, more aggressive, possibly doubling down on how they want to play moving forward is important.
“If you look at the timeline of how they look at players, an ODI side will have a new look for say an India tour or Champions Trophy. There will be a Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Joe Root. So, for these younger, inexperienced players you want to really stamp your authority on this series and in the up-and-coming West Indies series because there may not be chances in the new year and into the Champions Trophy."
Trailing 2-0 in the series, England have to win the third ODI in Chester-le-Street on September 24 (Tuesday) if they want to keep themselves alive in the series. Former Sri Lanka captain and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara feels England will have to find a way to play positive cricket without compromising on smart cricket.
"I understand the messaging and the bullishness around it. England are transitioning but the real question is to define what they are transitioning to. I would like some more definition with how they go out and play and what they talk about in the dressing room. Because you have a bit of experience in this side already but a lot of youngsters,” said Sangakkara.
“Yes, it is important that the youngsters play with freedom and with expression without fear so they show their talent and build their experience as they go along into that 2027 World Cup.
“You have a lot of returning players, those players coming in from the Test side, that is where the hard yards come from, how you shepherd those players along with understanding what you do in certain situations. He has doubled down on it but don't sacrifice being smart, being adaptable, and understanding what the side needs in a tough situation to win the game."
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