Jamie Overton has replaced Saqib Mahmood as England’s only change from the lineup that lost by five runs at Lord’s to go behind 2-0 in the three-match series. Following their combined stats of 1 for 112 in 10 overs on Thursday, they will once more be depending on Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and possibly Joe Root to split the strain of a fifth bowler.
Despite England’s decision to rest him for the T20Is next week, Ben Duckett has been favoured to finish his international career in a big way in Southampton on Sunday, retaining his spot for the third ODI against South Africa.
Along with Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, Duckett is one of three England players who have appeared in all 14 of their home international matches this season, including three Twenty20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals, and six Test matches. He has only reached 20 in ten innings since the Hundred began last month, and he followed his five in the first ODI at Headingley with a rather shaky 14 from 33 balls at Lord’s.
After consulting with England’s head coach Brendon McCullum, he decided to skip the T20Is next week, and Sam Curran will take his place in the squad. The move was made to make sure Duckett is “firing” ahead of a hectic winter schedule that includes the Ashes in Australia and a T20 World Cup, according to Marcus Trescothick, one of McCullum’s coaches.
“Brendon spoke to him over the last few days, trying to get a gauge of where he’s at,” said Trescothick. “You consider each scenario separately and in its own manner, examining the amount of cricket they have played and speaking with them to find out how they are feeling. As we enter a busy winter, this is the ideal [choice] to maximise performances moving forward.
Ben is undoubtedly one of the players we need to be performing at their best. As November, December, and January approach, we need the boys to be on fire. It’s a crucial moment. It’s not that there aren’t significant things coming up, but sometimes you just need to slow down and clear your head. After that, you can mount back up and continue.
With his inclusion, Jamie Overton will play for England for the first time since the team’s administration was caught off guard by his choice to postpone his red-ball aspirations.
Due to Duckett’s retention, their squad’s backup hitter, Tom Banton, will not play in the series unless he withdraws at the last minute. However, he will remain in Southampton on standby and will not be released to play for Somerset in their T20 Blast quarterfinal matchup against Warwickshire on Saturday night.
In January, McCullum took over as coach of England’s white-ball teams, but he hasn’t been able to stop their decline in 50-over cricket. After a string of dismal performances, they are currently ranked eighth in the ICC’s rankings and have lost eight of their eleven ODIs this season, including all three of the Champions Trophy matches.
England would probably need to fall behind both Bangladesh and the West Indies to miss out on the 2027 World Cup, as eight countries will automatically qualify through the rankings, with South Africa and Zimbabwe guaranteed seats as Full-Member co-hosts. However, the 2019 world champions are embarrassed just by the prospect of having to compete in the global qualifier.
“We’re in an interesting position where we need to climb those rankings,” added Trescothick. “There is a larger picture in the long run, and we must consider ranking first and higher. To compete like we did in 2019, we must be a team that has improved from where we are now if we want to go and participate in the major tournaments.
“Of course, the trip hasn’t been simple, but despite the unfortunate outcomes of the previous two results, I firmly believe we’re getting better and heading in the right direction. Since Brendon came over, we’ve made a few adjustments, and we believe that overall, we’re beginning to play better cricket.”
Jamie Overton decision was “unexpected,” according to England’s managing director Rob Key, but his inclusion in the third ODI shows that he is still a part of their white-ball strategy.
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