![England struggling with new ODI approach [Source: AFP Photos]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1761922405357_harry_brook(1).jpg?type=hq)
England struggling with new ODI approach [Source: AFP Photos]
Once upon a time, England were the masters of ODI cricket. From 2015 to 2019, their fearless brand of batting changed the format forever.
They went from being slow and cautious to smashing bowlers all around the park. It worked as they lifted the 2019 World Cup at Lord’s, and the world applauded their revolution.
But as the years have rolled by, it feels like that same aggression has turned into arrogance. England’s current ODI batting is not fearless anymore, it’s careless.
England forcing T20I mindset into ODIs
In recent matches, England’s approach has looked more like a stretched-out T20 innings than a 50-over plan. Every batter seems to walk out swinging from ball one, as if the game will end in 20 overs.
The result? More often than not, they collapse before even reaching 300. The balance between attack and patience has gone missing.
In 14 ODIs played this year, England have played a full 50 overs only four times. Moreover, in the last five ODIs alone, the Englishmen have collapsed on 131, 223 and 175. The consequences of his arrogant approach were 10 humiliating losses and a demotion in the ICC ODI team rankings to no. 8.
ODI cricket, unlike T20s, still rewards those who value their wicket. It’s a format that demands adaptability. You can start slow, rebuild, and then accelerate. Players like Virat Kohli have shown this time and again.
Kohli has built his legacy not just on boundaries, but on running hard between the wickets. His hundreds are not just about power hitting; they’re about smart cricket, such as rotating strike, finding gaps, and wearing down bowlers. He knows that in ODIs, singles and doubles can be just as valuable as sixes.
Even teams like India and Australia understand that. When the top order fails, someone always puts their head down and rebuilds. Remember how KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer batted together during tough chases? Or how Steve Smith patiently guides his side through difficult conditions? These innings might not make flashy highlights, but they win matches.
England are mistaking regression for revolution
England’s current approach, however, feels like they’ve forgotten that ODIs are marathons, not sprints. The ‘Bazball’ approach has already led to their downfall in the Test format. Now, their relevance in ODIs is also under threat.
It’s almost like they are addicted to the thrill of explosive hitting, even when the situation calls for more composure. When wickets fall, instead of huddling together, the next batter just plays one shot after another. The scoreboard pressure mounts, and suddenly the innings collapse like a house of cards.
This is not to say aggression is bad. It’s what made England a powerhouse in white-ball cricket in the first place. But aggression without awareness is chaos. The beauty of ODIs lies in their rhythm, as there are quiet overs, rebuilding phases, and explosive finishes. The great teams understand when to shift gears. England, at the moment, seems stuck in fifth gear all the time.
Final thought
To succeed again, England need to rediscover their balance. They must remember that respecting the game doesn’t mean playing slowly. It means playing smart. A 90 off 100 balls that anchors an innings can sometimes be more valuable than a quickfire 40 off 20.
The players need to understand that sometimes, fighting for every single run is what makes champions, not just the big shots.
As we have always seen cricket rewards adaptation. If England continue to confuse courage and recklessness, they will soon be left watching others lift trophies that they once possessed.
It’s time they remembered that not every storm needs to be met with thunder. Sometimes, quiet determination wins the day.
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