Stuart Broad says England need an extra wicketkeeper and now is the time to give them some blood with the Cricket World Cup more than a year away.
Three days after India jumped to the top of the T20 world rankings, England’s ODI struggles were laid bare after a heavy six-wicket defeat by the No.1-ranked one-day team at Edgbaston.
Harry Brook’s side are eighth in the table with their sixth straight defeat against India, which condemns them to 14 defeats in their last 20 matches.
“England are ranked eighth in the world and are playing like they are eighth,” Broad said Sky Sports Cricket. “They need to get more experience as players.”
Joe Root’s unbeaten 76 and Liam Dawson’s maiden ODI half-century rescued England from 80-5 after a top-order collapse and set India 259 for victory.
That target eventually proved too easy, but only after the tourists recovered from the loss of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the space of six balls.
Shubman Gill’s masterful 75-ball 80 before his retirement did much damage after India withstood an early England volley that saw Jofra Archer and Josh Tong, the only recognized fast bowlers, bowl 13 off the first 16 overs.
Do England need to bring another seamer into their ODI squad to ease the pressure on Joffre Archer?
England’s lack of options to ease the load on Archer, Tongoog and spinner Adil Rashid is an area Broad believes needs to be addressed urgently.
“After the Edgbaston defeat, there might be a shift in thinking towards playing a different Schwimmer,” he added.
“Looking ahead to the next World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, faster and taller bowlers will do the damage there.
“Given the make-up and balance of this side, with Rashid, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks, and the part-time spin options of Jacob Bethel and Joe Root, I’d be inclined to play an extra seamer instead of one of the spinners because it gives experience as a bowler and an impact on match situations.
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Axar Patel’s six for India causes a crowd member to fall and spill a drink while trying to catch from the stands.
“Taking 10 wickets in ODIs, especially in that middle period, is difficult. I look at Archer – he is a natural wicket taker, the best bowler we have. The tongue can take wickets. Rashid can take wickets. But I feel England need another fast bowler to support this group.
“Sam Curran is a very good cricketer but he does not play as a first-shift bowler. England need someone to go through the middle of the overs, bowl and cover, and take the outside edge, so they don’t need to go to Archer all the time.
“Could it be Braydon Karz, Gus Atkinson or Saqib Mahmood? England need to start testing it now.”
Results and schedule of matches England – India
All times of Great Britain and Ireland, all games are live on Sky Sports
- First ODI (Edgbaston – India win by six wickets
- Second ODI (Cardiff) – Thursday, July 16 (1:00 p.m.)
- Third ODI (Men’s) – Sunday, July 19 (11:00)