1) Make sure they bat out the allocated overs
No side goes into an innings looking to lose wickets but a higher price can be put on them than is currently being displayed. The losses to Australia and New Zealand were the 12th and 13th times in their past 19 one-day internationals that England have been bowled out – a run that stretches back to the start of the Sri Lanka series last May. All 13 matches ended in defeat, while a score above 300 has been achieved just once during that time. Caution will not strike fear into the hearts of opposition but the batsmen need to start going the distance.
2) Settle on a regular top three and stick with it
England’s top-three tinkering has long been a source of frustration. But since his spectacular introduction to the one-day opener’s role in the first ODI with Sri Lanka last November – an 87-ball 119 – Moeen Ali has passed 50 just once in 13 innings. While Ali has shown an eye-catching repertoire operating as a designated pinch-hitter, Alex Hales remains the better bet for longer, more substantial knocks from the top of the order by virtue of doing so for his county. Ali should not be jettisoned, just returned to the lower middle order.
3) Sharpen up in the field and work as a unit
The New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum, made a point of praising his players for their display in the field against England, describing it as “the one area you can control”. The Kiwis, led by their ultra-aggressive skipper, hunted as a pack and caught everything that came their way – the pick of which was Adam Milne’s effort to remove Eoin Morgan. Compare and contrast England’s performance in the field against Australia, where Aaron Finch made the most of an early life that was granted to him on nought.
4) Clear the mind and then be positive
Despite the manner of the two defeats, England can take some crumbs of comfort from the fact that their two toughest fixtures are now behind them. Even though Scotland pushed New Zealand hard in their opening game, their top order showed vulnerability against fast-medium bowling and stumbled to 12 for four and they lost four men first ball. Beating the associate nation will only be a start but a cool, clinical performance will be a platform on which they can build.
5) Think on their feet and be innovative
While not tested against New Zealand, England’s death bowling in the 111-run defeat to Australia last Saturday – a longstanding issue – betrayed an inability to adapt. The theory that a shorter length would be easier to defend in the field, given the longer boundaries square of the wicket, may have been soundly devised. But the sight of Glenn Maxwell repeatedly flat-batting the ball to the rope should have prompted some kind of rethink.
