NZ vs Eng, 2nd ODI: England’s ODI Rot Deepens as Questions Mount

England’s once-dominant ODI machine is sputtering. After another lackluster performance in the NZ vs Eng 2nd ODI, the defending world champions find themselves staring down a familiar problem: a team in transition, a batting lineup misfiring, and a bowling attack struggling for consistency. With the series slipping away and the 2027 World Cup cycle looming, England’s ODI rot isn’t just a blip—it’s a pattern. And right now, they’re ruing out of answers.

This isn’t just about losing to New Zealand—a team that, while formidable, isn’t the juggernaut England once was. It’s about the systemic issues plaguing English white-ball cricket: an over-reliance on aging stars, a middle-order that collapses under pressure, and a bowling unit that lacks the bite of yesteryear. For fans who grew accustomed to Eoin Morgan’s aggressive, boundary-pushing era, the current side feels like a shadow of its former self.

So, what’s going wrong? And more importantly—can England fix it before it’s too late?

The Collapse: What Happened in the 2nd ODI?

The second ODI betweeew Zealand and England in Wellington was supposed to be a chance for redemption after a shaky start to the series. Instead, it became another case study in England’s ongoing ODI struggles. Here’s how the match unfolded—and where it all went wrong.

A Familiar Top-Order Stumble

England’s batting has been their Achilles’ heel since the 2023 World Cup debacle, and the 2nd ODI was no different. The top three—Phil Salt, Will Jacks, and Joe Root—managed just 47 runs combined before the first collapse. Salt, who had shown promise in the T20I series, fell cheaply to Matt Henry, while Jacks’ aggressive approach backfired against Trent Boult’s swing. Root, the lone warrior in recent times, was dismissed for a golden duck—a rare and damning failure for a player of his caliber.

This isn’t just bad luck; it’s a trend. Since the 2023 World Cup, England’s openers have averaged just 23.4 runs per partnership in ODIs—a stark contrast to the Morgan era, where Bairstow and Roy would routinely bludgeon attacks into submission. The absence of Jason Roy (dropped after poor form) and Joy Bairstow (injury-prone) has left a void that Salt and Jacks are struggling to fill.

The Middle-Order Black Hole

If the top order’s job is to set the platform, the middle order’s is to accelerate. But England’s middle order in 2024 is doing neither. Ben Stokes, playing his first ODI series since reversing his retirement, looked rusty before falling to Mitchell Santner. Jos Buttler, the captain, managed a run-a-ball 38 but never shifted gears. And Liam Livingstone, once a finisher par excellence, is now a walking wicket—his dismissal in the 2nd ODI (caught at mid-off trying to force the issue) was emblematic of England’s broader panic.

The numbers are brutal:

• England’s middle order (positions 4–7) averages 28.7 in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup—the worst among all full-member nations.
• They’ve lost 10+ wickets in a collapse (3 or more wickets for under 20 runs) in 6 of their last 10 ODIs.
• No England batter has scored an ODI century in 14 matches—their longest drought since 2014.

Bowling: Toothless Without the New Ball

England’s bowling, once a strength, is now a liability. The pace trio of Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, and Gus Atkinson struggled to make early inroads, allowing New Zealand’s openers to build a 120-run stand. Woakes, in particular, looked a shadow of his 2019 self, leaking runs at 6.5 an over without a wicket.

The spiers—Tom Hartley and Livingstone—were equally ineffective. Hartley, brought in for his left-arm angle, was taken for 70 runs in 9 overs, while Livingstone’s part-time off-spin offered no control. Even Adil Rashid, England’s premier white-ball spier, has seen his economy rate balloon to 6.1 in 2024 (up from 5.6 in 2022).

Contrast this with New Zealand’s attack: Trent Boult (3/32), Matt Henry (2/40), and Mitchell Santner (2/35) bowled with discipline, exploiting England’s fragility. The Kiwis’ ability to adapt to conditions—something England once mastered—was the difference.

Why England’s ODI Rot Runs Deeper Than Just Form

Bad patches happen. But England’s issues aren’t just about a few poor performances—they’re structural. Here’s why the rot is spreading:

1. The Post-Morgan Identity Crisis

Under Eoin Morgan, England redefined ODI cricket with their “no fear” approach: aggressive batting, deep batting lineups, and a bowling attack that thrived under pressure. But since Morgan’s retirement and the 2023 World Cup flop, England have lost their way.

The problem? They’re trying to replicate the past without evolving. The current side is a strange hybrid:

• A top order that’s too cautious (Root, Salt) mixed with reckless strokeplay (Jacks, Livingstone).
• A middle order that lacks finishers—Stokes is a luxury at No. 4, and Buttler is no longer the explosive force he once was.
• A bowling attack that’s over-reliant on swing (Woakes, Curran) with no genuine pace threat.

As Nasser Hussain put it on Sky Sports: “England used to hunt in packs. Now, they’re a bunch of individuals hoping someone fires.”

2. The T20 Hangover

England’s T20 World Cup win in 2022 was a high, but it came at a cost: the blurring of formats. Players like Livingstone, Jacks, and even Buttler now treat ODIs like T20s—swinging wildly early, with no regard for building an iings. The result? Collapses.

In the 2nd ODI, England’s run rate was a healthy 5.2 after 20 overs. But instead of accelerating smartly, they lost 6 wickets for 45 runs in the next 15 overs. This isn’t aggression—it’s self-sabotage.

3. The Ageing Core

England’s 2019 World Cup-wiing spine is crumbling:

• Joe Root (33) – Still classy, but no longer the anchor.
• Jos Buttler (33) – Captaincy weighing heavy; batting form in decline.
• Chris Woakes (34) – Past his peak as a new-ball threat.
• Adil Rashid (36) – Leg-spin losing its mystery.

The younger brigade—Salt, Jacks, Hartley, Atkinson—lack experience, and the transition isn’t smooth. Unlike New Zealand, who blooded the likes of Fi Allen and Rachin Ravindra seamlessly, England are stuck between eras.

4. The Lack of a Plan B

England’s 2019 success was built on adaptability: they could chase 300 or defend 250. Now? They’re one-dimensional.

Against New Zealand, when the pitch slowed, England had:

• No genuine spier to exploit the conditions (Hartley is a red-ball specialist).
• No middle-overs enforcer (like a prime Moeen Ali).
• No death-bowling specialist (Curran is erratic; Woakes is past his best).

New Zealand, meanwhile, adjusted perfectly: Santner’s slow left-arm stifled England, while Lockie Ferguson’s pace cleaned up the tail. England had no answer.

Can England Fix This Before the 2027 World Cup?

The next ODI World Cup is three years away—plenty of time to rebuild, but only if England act now. Here’s what they need to do:

1. Clarify the Batting Approach

England must decide: Are they playing ODI cricket or T20 cricket? Right now, it’s a messy hybrid. The solution?

• Open with Salt and Bairstow (if fit)—two natural aggressors who can build a platform.
• Drop Livingstone and bring in Harry Brook—a proper No. 5 who can anchor and accelerate.
• Use Stokes as a floater (No. 6 or 7), not a top-order batter.
• Give Sam Hain a chance—the Warwickshire batter averages 50+ in List A and could solve the No. 3 problem.

2. Rebuild the Bowling Attack

England’s bowling lacks variety and threat. The fixes:

• Recall Jofra Archer—if fit, he’s the X-factor England desperately need at the death.
• Try Brydon Carse—the Durham seamer has pace and a knack for wickets.
• Bring back a second spier—Rehan Ahmed or Will Jacks (as a bowling all-rounder).
• Drop Woakes—his time as a frontline ODI bowler is up.

3. Leadership Shake-Up

Jos Buttler is a world-class T20 captain, but his ODI leadership has been reactive, not proactive. England need:

• A dedicated white-ball coach (Matthew Mott’s dual-role experiment has failed).
• A clear selection policy—no more chopping and changing (e.g., Roy in, Roy out, Roy back in).
• A bold vice-captain—someone like Ben Stokes or Moeen Ali to challenge Buttler’s thinking.

4. Embrace the Rebuild

England won the 2019 World Cup by backing youth and fearlessness. Now, they’re clinging to the past. The time for sentiment is over. They must:

• Blood youngsters—Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson—and stick with them.
• Accept short-term pain for long-term gain (like they did in 2015–19).
• Play more ODIs—England have played just 12 ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, compared to New Zealand’s 20.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for England?

England have three ODIs left iew Zealand to salvage pride, but the real work starts after. Here’s what to watch for:

Immediate Future: The Remaining ODIs

With the series already lost, England should:

• Experiment: Try Brook at No. 5, give Carse a debut, and test Hain at No. 3.
• Focus on partnerships: No more solo acts—build 50+ stands.
• Bowl dry: Stop leaking boundaries in the middle overs.

Long-Term: The 2027 World Cup Cycle

England’s next ODI assignment is a home series against Sri Lanka in June. By then, they need to show:

• A settled top 3 (Salt, Bairstow, Hain?).
• A reliable finisher (Brook or Stokes?).
• A bowling attack with variety (Archer, Carse, Rashid, Ahmed?).

If they don’t, the rot will only deepen—and by 2027, they’ll be also-rans, not contenders.

Conclusion: A Crossroads for English ODI Cricket

The NZ vs Eng 2nd ODI wasn’t just another loss—it was a symptom of a larger malaise. England’s ODI team, once the envy of the world, is now a shadow of its former self, plagued by poor form, bad selection, and a lack of identity.

But here’s the good news: They’ve been here before. In 2015, after a disastrous World Cup, England hit rock bottom. What followed? A complete rebuild that led to a 2019 World Cup triumph. The blueprint exists.

The question is: Do they have the courage to rip it up and start again?

For the sake of English cricket, they’d better. Because right now, the answers aren’t just missing—they’re nowhere in sight.

What’s Your Take?

Do you think England can turn this around before 2027? Who should be in their ODI XI? Drop your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to subscribe for more cricket insights!