England's five post-World Cup batting shockers
With the 2019 World Cup looming, we take a look at England's five biggest malfunctions with the bat since the last tournament
ESPNcricinfo staff
02-Mar-2019
Jonny Bairstow lost his leg stump • AFP
England have risen to the top of the ODI rankings over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of cricket that has twice seen them break the record for the format's highest total. However, amid the success they have also shown a habit for spectacular collapses, capped by the heavy defeat in St Lucia that ended their run of bilateral series wins. With the 2019 World Cup looming, we take a look at England's five biggest shockers with the bat since the last tournament.
133 v Australia, Old Trafford 2015
England's post-World Cup revival began with victory over New Zealand - a series that became a catalyst for their new style of play - and they then came from 2-0 down to level against the world champions. However, in the decider at Old Trafford, where they had scored 300 for 8 a few days earlier, England were bowled out in 33 overs, with Eoin Morgan retiring hurt after a blow to the head and only Ben Stokes' 42 and Adil Rashid's 35 not out preventing a complete humiliation. Australia knocked off the requirement two down.
England's post-World Cup revival began with victory over New Zealand - a series that became a catalyst for their new style of play - and they then came from 2-0 down to level against the world champions. However, in the decider at Old Trafford, where they had scored 300 for 8 a few days earlier, England were bowled out in 33 overs, with Eoin Morgan retiring hurt after a blow to the head and only Ben Stokes' 42 and Adil Rashid's 35 not out preventing a complete humiliation. Australia knocked off the requirement two down.
153 v South Africa, Lord's 2017
Another major malfunction batting first, although this time the series had already been won. Put in on a green surface - "I don't think it was an ODI pitch," Morgan said afterwards - England hurtled to 20 for 6, with Kagiso Rabada alone claiming four men caught in the slips. It was the first time in ODI history that a team had lost as many wickets inside the first five overs. Jonny Bairstow, back when he was the spare middle-order batsman, struck a belligerent fifty from No. 5 but the second-top score was debutant Toby Roland-Jones' 37 not out.
Another major malfunction batting first, although this time the series had already been won. Put in on a green surface - "I don't think it was an ODI pitch," Morgan said afterwards - England hurtled to 20 for 6, with Kagiso Rabada alone claiming four men caught in the slips. It was the first time in ODI history that a team had lost as many wickets inside the first five overs. Jonny Bairstow, back when he was the spare middle-order batsman, struck a belligerent fifty from No. 5 but the second-top score was debutant Toby Roland-Jones' 37 not out.
196 v Australia, Adelaide 2018
Asked to bat first: check. Bit of juice in the pitch: check. Top-order capitulation: check, check, check. This time the initial, stomach-churning dip of the rollercoaster was even more extreme, with England a barely believable 8 for 5 after 6.2 overs - although they nearly snatched the game from the fire in the end. After Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had run amok, Morgan and Moeen Ali began the rebuilding, before Chris Woakes' 78 from No. 8 led them to the brink of 200; Australia then conducted a nervous chase before eventually getting over the line by three wickets.
Asked to bat first: check. Bit of juice in the pitch: check. Top-order capitulation: check, check, check. This time the initial, stomach-churning dip of the rollercoaster was even more extreme, with England a barely believable 8 for 5 after 6.2 overs - although they nearly snatched the game from the fire in the end. After Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had run amok, Morgan and Moeen Ali began the rebuilding, before Chris Woakes' 78 from No. 8 led them to the brink of 200; Australia then conducted a nervous chase before eventually getting over the line by three wickets.
132 for 9 v Sri Lanka, Colombo 2018
England went into the final match of the series 3-0 up, but conceded 366 for 6 during a sloppy display with the ball and in the field. Then came the implosion: Roy bowled in the first over, Hales and Buttler both out for two-ball ducks in the next. When Root steered to point, giving Dushmantha Chameera his third wicket, England were 28 for 4 after 7.2 overs, their hopes of a successful chase in tatters. Stokes and Moeen took no backward step to put on a 79-run partnership but it was all over when England's ninth wicket fell just as the heavens opened.
England went into the final match of the series 3-0 up, but conceded 366 for 6 during a sloppy display with the ball and in the field. Then came the implosion: Roy bowled in the first over, Hales and Buttler both out for two-ball ducks in the next. When Root steered to point, giving Dushmantha Chameera his third wicket, England were 28 for 4 after 7.2 overs, their hopes of a successful chase in tatters. Stokes and Moeen took no backward step to put on a 79-run partnership but it was all over when England's ninth wicket fell just as the heavens opened.
113 v West Indies, St Lucia 2019
The shocker de resistance, and one which was spookily reminiscent of their 2015 World Cup thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in Wellington, as England came full circle. Put in again, this time on a pitch offering extra pace and bounce, they battled to 111 for 5 only for Oshane Thomas to rip through the lower order. His well-directed 90mph short stuff was too much for England as their last five wickets fell for the addition of two runs. Chris Gayle then played the Brendon McCullum role - Gayle made 77 off 27, compared to McCullum's 77 off 25 - as West Indies managed what New Zealand couldn't and wrapped up victory before lunch.
The shocker de resistance, and one which was spookily reminiscent of their 2015 World Cup thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in Wellington, as England came full circle. Put in again, this time on a pitch offering extra pace and bounce, they battled to 111 for 5 only for Oshane Thomas to rip through the lower order. His well-directed 90mph short stuff was too much for England as their last five wickets fell for the addition of two runs. Chris Gayle then played the Brendon McCullum role - Gayle made 77 off 27, compared to McCullum's 77 off 25 - as West Indies managed what New Zealand couldn't and wrapped up victory before lunch.