England ODI Squad For World Cup 2023

After an dramatic finish to the 2019 World Cup final, England the defending champions are setting their sights on the upcoming tournament with hopes of securing the title once again. Under the leadership of Jos Buttler, they have assembled a formidable 15-man squad, preserving the core unit that clinched their maiden 50 over World Cup victory four years ago on home soil.

1.    Jos Buttler (c)
2.    Moeen Ali
3.    Gus Atkinson
4.    Jonny Bairstow
5.    Sam Curran
6.    Liam Livingstone
7.    Dawid Malan
8.    Adil Rashid
9.    Joe Root
10.    Harry Brook
11.    Ben Stokes
12.    Reece Topley
13.    David Willey
14.    Mark Wood
15.    Chris Woakes

The reigning world champions boast one of the most formidable and aggressive batting line-ups globally. England holds the distinction of posting the top three highest team totals in the format, including their recent record-breaking 498/4 against the Netherlands. Leading the charge is Jos Buttler, who has been the team's leading run-scorer since January 2022, amassing an impressive 951 runs at an average of 59.43 and a striking 115.4.

The selection panel did make one notable alteration to the initial squad announced in August. Opener Jason Roy, who had featured in the most ODIs post the 2019 World Cup, was omitted in favour of the young and promising Harry Brook. Brook, hailed as one of the most exciting talents across all formats, performed admirably in subcontinent conditions during England's tour of Pakistan. Although Brook's limited ODI experience has vulnerability against leg-spinners could be a point of concern in spin-friendly conditions.

Roy's absence implies that Jonny Bairstow will now be accompanied by Dawid Malan at the top of the order. Since January 2022, England's top-order has collectively contributed 1822 runs at an average of 41.4. The opening partnership has achieved the second-best strike rate among all World Cup participating nations, clocking in at 90.7 during the initial powerplay—the third-best after Australia and India.

In the crucial overs from 11 to 40, England stands out with the highest strike rate, amassing 3895 runs at 103.8. When it comes to the death overs, their strike rate soars to an impressive 141. This team's batting depth is undeniable, with all batsmen possessing the capability to launch the ball into the stands at a high strike rate.

England's squad boasts a robust ensemble of all-rounders, making them one of the most well-balanced teams in the upcoming tournament. The return of Test skipper Ben Stokes from his ODI retirement is a significant boost. In the seven innings since January 2022, Stokes has notched up 288 runs, sporting an impressive average of 41.14. His resurgence in the ODIs post-comeback is even more remarkable, amassing 235 runs with an outstanding average of 78.33. This includes a century and a fifty, with his career-best knock of 182 standing out. However, it's worth noting that Stokes hasn't bowled a single ODI delivery in 2023, potentially affecting the team's balance. Nevertheless, his batting prowess alone secures him a spot in the lineup as a specialist batsman.

The seasoned campaigner Moeen Ali is another automatic selection, offering versatility in the batting order and valuable off-spin bowling. With spin-friendly conditions expected in many games, spin-bowling all-rounders are likely to play a pivotal role. However, Moeen's recent dip in batting form, where he has managed only 383 runs at an average of 23.93 since January 2022, raises concerns. In the same period, he has picked up 19 wickets in 20 ODI appearances. This might prompt selectors to contemplate choosing between him and Liam Livingstone in the playing XI, given Livingstone's ability to bowl both off-breaks and leg-breaks as needed.

The remainder of the all-rounders are primarily focused on their bowling contributions. Sam Curran brings with him a wealth of IPL experience and the advantage of being a left-arm bowler. While his batting prowess will be in demand, his performance in the death overs has been subpar, conceding around 9 runs per over.

Chris Woakes, with his wealth of experience and adeptness at using seam and variations effectively, adds depth to the bowling department. David Willey, who was unfortunate to miss out on selection for the previous World Cup, has finally earned his place in the squad. He will play a crucial role during the powerplay, unsettling batsmen with his swinging deliveries. Willey has been particularly effective, securing 16 wickets in the first powerplay since the 2019 World Cup—making him the highest wicket-taker in that phase among England bowlers.

While England's all-rounders provide versatility and depth, the key to success in Indian conditions, especially in this format, lies in the presence of raw pace on flat pitches and an aggressive spin bowling attack that can create pressure, restrict runs, and secure wickets—the essential elements for a fielding side to triumph in an ODI encounter.

Overall, England's bowling unit hasn't displayed the same fiery intensity that characterized their triumphant run in the previous World Cup. Their bowling attack has produced a strike rate of 34.2 since 2022, 9th among the World Cup participating teams. However, thanks to the contributions of Reece Topley and David Willey, their numbers improve in the first powerplay with a strike rate of 36.3, ranking them among the top four teams. In the middle phase, the strike rate rises to 41.3, with only New Zealand and the Netherlands posting worse figures. During the death overs, English bowlers take a wicket every 17.3 deliveries while conceding runs at an economy rate of 7.2.

To bolster their attack, England relies on the experienced Adil Rashid, who is their highest wicket-taker since January 2022, with 25 wickets in 14 matches. Impressively, 18 of these 25 scalps were claimed during the middle overs. Despite limited experience in ODIs in India, Rashid's selection is nearly certain. This World Cup may well mark his final appearance in the one-day format, and he is poised to play more matches in India than he has throughout his 126-match ODI career.

For challenging opposition batting lineups with raw pace, England has included Mark Wood, their second-highest wicket-taker from the 2019 World Cup. This right-arm speedster has featured in only 59 matches over his injury-prone eight-year career but has made an impact with 71 wickets at an average of 37.88. Post the 2019 event, Wood has played just eight matches but managed to pick up 10 crucial wickets.

Reece Topley, England's most successful powerplay bowler since January 2022, with eight wickets at an average of 32.1 and a strike rate of 40.5, also finds a place in the squad. A left-arm medium-pacer, Topley offers a faster pace than Curran and Willey, enhancing the diversity of England's fast bowling options. Since his debut in 2015, he has accumulated 38 wickets at an impressive average of 26.81, with a notable strike rate of one wicket every 30.8 balls. Eighteen of these wickets have been secured in his 13 appearances since January 2022.

Completing the bowling lineup is Gus Atkinson, a recent addition to the ODI arena. Known for his raw pace, Atkinson showcased his abilities in the Hundred ball competition, emerging as the fastest bowler in the tournament. While he has played only five List-A games, three of them are international fixtures where he has managed to secure a solitary wicket.