But flatter tracks in Pakistan offer more reason for hope, even if England’s ODI record since the start of the 2023 World Cup – 16 defeats in 23 ODIs – makes for grim reading.
Returning from a left calf injury that sidelined him for the final five of England’s eight matches in India, Jamie Smith has been handed the double responsibility of keeping wicket and batting at three.
Brendon McCullum’s reign as England’s white-ball coach got off to an inauspicious start with T20 and ODI series defeats in India, where they won just one of eight matches.
England then are relying on pace trio Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, the latter two back from injury, plus leg-spinner Adil Rashid, with Liam Livingstone and Joe Root making up the rest of the overs.
Steve Smith, England’s bete noire for nearly a decade, stands in as skipper while they will be leaning on the experience of Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, all of whom starred in their 2023 World Cup triumph.
