Ali Martin’s report has landed from Karachi.
As you’d expect, it makes for grim reading and focuses on England. Make no mistake though, they were made to look ordinary by a very polished South African outfit that ticks just about every box. If they Proteas play like this in the knockouts they’ll be a handful. That is if they can avoid doing what they always do in ICC tournaments.
Time for a restart as far as England’s white ball teams are concerned. They’ll need a captain, a new opening pair, a new plan for the middle overs and some new ideas across the squad.
Thanks for keeping me company. Til next time…
Matt Roller from ESPNCricinfo has perhaps stumbled onto the reason for England’s woes:
Baffling to me just how little 50-over cricket England Lions have played since the downgrading of the One-Day Cup: no matches at all since February 2023. Should be a huge opportunity for player development
