England’s poor run in the ODI format continues as they make an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. They have lost 23 out of 37 ODIs since 2023. What are the reasons behind England’s downfall?
England‘s fall from grace in white-ball cricket has been nothing short of dramatic. From conquering the world in 2022, holding both the ODI and T20 World Cup titles, to becoming an afterthought in major tournaments by 2025, their decline has been plagued by inconsistency, poor selections, and an aging core that failed to evolve. England, who were once a fearless attacking unit under Eoin Morgan, and later Jos Buttler, have crumbled under pressure, with key players losing form and new talent struggling to step up. Tactical missteps, questionable squad rotations, and a lack of adaptability to changing conditions have further exposed their vulnerabilities.
The warning signs were there in 2023, when England’s ODI World Cup defence in India ended in disaster, finishing near the bottom of the table. Instead of using that failure as a wake-up call, their problems only deepened. Injuries, retirements, and a lack of fresh leadership left the team in a state of transition without direction. Once revered for their aggressive brand of cricket, England’s approach became muddled, caught between their old attacking philosophy and the need for a more balanced game. By 2025, their aura had faded, and they found themselves outclassed by sharper, more dynamic teams, a stark contrast to the dominant force they once were.
Decoding England’s ODI downfall
England’s obsession with the T20 format has played a major role in their downfall across other formats. After winning the T20 World Cup in 2022, their focus shifted almost entirely to the shortest format, with an eye on franchise leagues and another T20 World Cup on the horizon. This led to a neglect of ODI cricket, where their once-dominant approach became outdated and ineffective. Players who were thriving in T20s struggled to adjust to the demands of the 50-over game, resulting in disastrous performances, most notably in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where England finished near the bottom of the table. The lack of a settled squad, over-reliance on aging stars, and failure to develop a new core for ODIs left them exposed against teams that had evolved with the format.
Their Test side also suffered as the England Cricket Board (ECB) prioritised white-ball cricket, with key multi-format players increasingly opting for T20 leagues over red-ball commitments. While the ‘Bazball’ revolution initially brought excitement, it proved to be unsustainable in the long run, with England failing to consistently win crucial Test series. The absence of a proper succession plan for their aging Test stars, combined with a domestic system that leaned heavily toward T20 cricket, meant that England’s pipeline of red-ball talent dried up.
By 2025, they had become a one-dimensional cricketing nation, excelling in T20s but falling behind in ODIs and Tests, a stark contrast to the well-balanced side that dominated all formats just a few years earlier. Adding to this, they were whitewashed by India in their last ODI series before entering the Champions Trophy, where they were knocked out after losing to Afghanistan. This pattern raised a lot of questions on their captain Jos Buttler after which he stepped down from the post.
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Nasser Hussain and other experts slam England’s white-ball Obsession
England’s struggles have been further compounded by the leadership issues surrounding Jos Buttler. While he remains a world-class cricketer, his captaincy has not inspired the same confidence as his predecessor, Eoin Morgan. As Nasser Hussain pointed out, “I’ve never looked at Jos Buttler and thought, oh wow, what a leader.” Unlike Morgan, whose presence commanded respect and composure even in tough situations; Buttler has often appeared burdened by the captaincy, which has negatively impacted his batting as well. England are losing more from his form than they are gaining from his leadership, making his position as captain increasingly untenable.
The team’s tactical shortcomings have also been glaring. England’s batters, particularly in ODIs, have struggled to adapt to the game’s rhythm, often playing with a reckless T20 mindset. Hussain criticised this approach, saying, “I sometimes see this England side and they don’t do the right thing at the right time.” Unlike Afghanistan, who showed the ability to absorb pressure and rebuild, England’s batters failed to take the game deep, losing wickets at crucial moments. This lack of game awareness has cost them dearly, as they continue to collapse under pressure while other teams evolve with a smarter, more balanced approach.
Atherton also emphasised how England’s decline is not just about other teams catching up, but about England themselves regressing. “It’s amazing and it’s a lesson in sport that the moment you slightly take your eye off the ball, it can come back to bite you,” he noted. England’s previous depth in white-ball cricket, which once allowed them to field a second-string team and still win the series, has now eroded. Their singular focus on T20s and franchise leagues has left them unprepared for the demands of ODIs and Tests, making them a one-dimensional side.
As Buttler himself admitted that England need to “consider all options” moving forward, it is clear that change is inevitable. Whether it is a shift in leadership, a reassessment of priorities, or a structural overhaul, England must address their deep-rooted issues before they can reclaim their place among the world’s elite cricketing nations.
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England’s way forward in ODIs
England’s struggles in ODI cricket have been evident, but they still have the talent to turn things around. Here are some key areas they need to focus on to improve in upcoming ODI series:
Finding the right leadership
Jos Buttler’s captaincy has been under scrutiny, and England might need fresh leadership. A strong, tactical leader who can inspire the team and make smart decisions under pressure is essential. Someone like Joe Root or even a younger player like Harry Brook could be considered as England look to rebuild.
Balancing the batting approach
England’s batters have been playing ODIs with a T20 mindset, leading to frequent collapses. They need to focus on pacing their innings better—building partnerships, rotating strike, and playing according to match situations rather than going for big hits from the start. Learning to “take the game deep,” as Nasser Hussain suggested, is crucial.
Stronger middle order stability
England have relied too much on aggressive openers and power-hitters, but they need batters who can anchor the innings in the middle overs. Players like Joe Root and Ben Duckett should be given more responsibility to guide the team through tough phases and ensure they have a platform for the finishers.
Improving bowling variations
England’s bowling attack has looked one-dimensional, especially in the middle overs. They need to develop better variations, such as slower balls, cutters, and effective use of spin. Learning from teams like Afghanistan, who have used different styles of bowling to great effect, can help England become more competitive.
Focusing on ODI-specific preparation
England’s schedule has been dominated by Test matches and T20 leagues, leaving little focus on 50-over cricket. They need to ensure players get more experience in ODIs, whether by playing more bilateral series or encouraging them to participate in longer white-ball formats in domestic and overseas leagues.
Better decision-making under pressure
Many of England’s recent losses have come from poor tactical choices. Whether it’s field placements, batting orders, or bowling changes, the team need to be smarter in how they approach key moments in the game. Working on situational awareness and making better in-game decisions will be vital.
By addressing these areas, England can rebuild their ODI side and become a strong force in 50-over cricket again. They have the talent, but they need to refine their strategy and approach to be successful in the format once more.
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