The five match One Day International Series was hugely disappointing. The first four matches both sides won two games each and all of these were so one sided and not a great advert for ODI cricket. The first four matches showed that if the ball seamed and swung around then England would win and win comfortably. However if it was a flat batting wicket then Sri Lanka would win and win comfortably.
The fifth and final game of series was a perfect game of cricket and brilliant game it was and England held their nerve to win by 16 runs and win the series 3-2.
This Review will look into all the positives and negatives for England from this ODI Series.
The biggest impact for England was the performance of Alastair Cook not just as Captain but also as opening Batsmen. I was highly critical in my preview blog for his recall and furthermore him being ODI Captain. I was so happy that he proved me so wrong as not only did he bat magnificently and in the right tempo for ODI Cricket but his captaincy skills shone through as well. Cook was rightly named man of the series and hope he continues this form into ODI against India after the Test Series against India.
I also was critical with the inclusion of Kieswetter in the side but he justified his inclusion and played few good innings in the series and keeping was sound as well.
Jonathan Trott at number three also had a good series. I must be the only one who has always said it would be stupid to drop Trott and he is great for England at Number he played Man of the Match innings in the crucial fifth match. I think his critics need to get off his back and support him hundred percent as England’s Number three batsmen.
Eoin Morgan continued to impress in the series when he had an opportunity to bat. Ian Bell had limited opportunity to bat during the series and is wasted at number six.
The positive for England in the bowling was the return of form of Jimmy Anderson and the consistency and reliability of Tim Bresnan who was back in the side.
The negatives for England was the poor form of Kevin Pietersen who hasn’t performed for England in ODI for over two years and I would be brave and drop him for The ODI series against India. Pietersen has been playing on reputation alone over this very lean period.
Stuart Broad carried on his very poor form from the Test Series all the way through the four ODI he played and quite rightly replaced in the fifth.
I was also hugely disappointed with the performance of Dernbach throughout the whole ODI Series and believe he isn’t International Standard. I would expect him not to be selected for the near future as he needs to develop his game further.
Also England missed a big opportunity not to utilise Trott and Pietersen with the ball as having five specialist bowlers isn’t enough in ODI cricket today.
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