The ODIs – what have we learned
The third ODI at Pune yesterday was an enthralling match – the best live sport over the weekend – and what have we learned?
When T20 began to grow in prominence some predicted that the 50 over game would be the victim.
It had the kudos of being the World Cup and the 2019 final between England and New Zealand going to 2 super overs after a tie was as good as it gets.
This three-match series lived up to billing with two exciting run chases and England falling 7 runs short yesterday.
The 50 over game can still satisfy the purist as it’s less crash-bang-wallop than T20 but still provide a nerve-tingling finish.
Jonny Bairstow did not enjoy a successful Test series in India – and some thought his cricketing career over – but he bounced back with a superb century in the second ODI.
This illustrates that white ball and red ball cricket are two very different games with the same generic description of cricket.
Jason Roy, Jos Butler are two that have made fame and fortune with white, but not red, ball.
Sam Curran has showed the importance of batting in depth. A few years ago Lance Klusener would come in at nine for South Africa and get his team over the line.
Sam Curran’s unbeaten 95 did not quite achieve this but his knock and sloppy fielding by India got England very close.
If England fail in the Ashes this winter pressure will fall on skipper Joe Root.
A likely contender for captain will be Ben Stokes. History shows with Ian Botham and Freddie Flintoff that talented all rounders do not maketh successful captains.
I was searching for a successful alternative and looked no further than white ball captain Eoin Morgan.
He has more than proved himself as skipper and, even if he is not Test standard in his batting, taking the captaincy responsibility and duties away from Root or Stokes will improve their performance.
