England, not for the first time, will try to relaunch themselves as a one-day international cricket side when they face World Cup finalists New Zealand in the first of a five-match series at Edgbaston today.
Since they made the third of three losing World Cup final appearances back in 1992, England have struggled to keep up with changes in the format.
But this year’s World Cup represented a new low, with England failing to beat a single Test nation in a tournament where they made a first-round exit after a defeat by Bangladesh.
The side has a fresh look about it with senior pacemen James Anderson and Stuart Broad, as well as experienced batsman Ian Bell rested. The one-day squad includes the hard-hitting Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Jason Roy as well as leg-spinner Adil Rashid and will be led by World Cup captain Eoin Morgan.
Rivals New Zealand expect the revamped side to match their aggressive style of cricket in the five-game one-day series, captain Brendon McCullum said.
Young seamer Mark Wood, the destructive Hales and wicketkeeper Sam Billings will hope to get the chance to impress.
“I like the look of the squad, I think it’s an exciting squad they’ve picked,” McCullum told Sky Sports. “It’s obviously a little bit raw but it’s full of talented players who are pretty aggressive with bat and ball.
“England have got some really dangerous players, and judging by the comments coming out of their camp they’re looking forward to branching out a little bit.”
Morgan was also confident England could make up the ground in 50-over cricket, telling a news conference at Edgbaston: “We want to be unclouded in the way that we play and put opposition sides under pressure as much as we can. We’ve fallen behind by a long way, and it’s time for a catch-up.”
The two sides drew a gripping Test series 1-1, with England winning the first match at Lord’s before the Kiwis struck back to seal a comprehensive 199-run victory at Headingley last week. “The Test matches were played in great spirit and I’m sure this will be the same,” McCullum said.
“Both teams will relish the opportunity to pit their skills against the other.”
New Zealand reached this year’s World Cup final playing a supremely positive and energetic brand of cricket.
“The way we went about it throughout the World Cup gives us a good chance and, hopefully, on the back of a pretty good Test series we’ll play a similar style and can continue to build on that,” McCullum said.
New Zealand hammered England by eight wickets in Wellington. Tim Southee took a stunning seven for 33 as England were skittled out for just 123.
New Zealand then pulverised England’s attack, captain Brendon McCullum striking 77 off just 25 balls, as they raced to victory in a mere 12.2 overs.
“We certainly played well that day. That’s the way we want to play,” said New Zealand coach Mike Hesson.
“Hopefully conditions allow that but if not, we’ve got to try to skin the cat a little differently.”
New Zealand played in familiar fashion when thrashing Leicestershire by 198 runs in a one-day warm-up match on Saturday.
Both Grant Elliott, who hit Dale Steyn for six to seal New Zealand’s dramatic World Cup semi-final win over South Africa, and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi finished the match on 106 not out against the Midlands county. Mitchell McClenaghan then took four wickets for 31.
England fast bowler Steven Finn said the hosts would be looking to match the rivals’ positive and innovative tactics.
“They are obviously very strong. To get to the final of the World Cup is no mean feat,” Finn told the England and Wales Cricket Board website (www.ecb.co.uk).
“They are an exceptional one-day side but we’re looking to go toe-to-toe with them and we’re looking to fight fire with fire.”
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