Trescothick says ‘We’re still very much focused on all formats of the game’

• England’s 2023 ODI World Cup struggles raise commitment questions.
• Key players missed matches, affecting their campaign.
• Trescothick reaffirms England’s devotion to all formats.

England, the reigning champions, have been struggling to find their groove, raising questions about their dedication to a format that has been grappling with an identity crisis.

After their triumphant victory on home soil in the 2019 Men’s ODI World Cup, where they showcased an aggressive style of 50-over cricket, England’s performance has suffered due to a lack of exposure to the format.

Several factors have contributed to England’s shaky run in the tournament. Many key players were either rested, faced injuries, or decided to step away from the game. The team’s focus shifted towards other formats, including T20 cricket, with England winning the T20 World Cup in 2022. Additionally, the World Test Championship introduced a new dynamic, diverting attention away from ODIs.

England’s assistant coach, Marcus Trescothick, vehemently denied any diminishing interest in the 50-over format. He stressed that the team remains committed to excelling in all forms of the game, including ODIs. In a pre-match press conference, Trescothick declared, “We love playing any form of cricket, any form of the game that we play. We were desperate to come here and try and win back-to-back 50 over competitions. So, we’re still very much focused on all formats of the game.”

A striking statistic reveals that every player in England’s current World Cup squad has missed playing more than 10 ODI matches between 2019 and 2023. For instance, fast bowler Mark Wood missed 34 games in this period, while all-rounder Ben Stokes, who retired from the format in July 2022 only to reverse his decision in September 2023, played just 13 games.

Trescothick attributed the scheduling challenges to the team’s struggle in prioritizing ODIs, saying, “The cricket structure is so busy, right? You’ve got to plan in Test matches, T20s, 50s and what it is. We’re always trying to get the balance right sometimes we do sometimes, we don’t. Some teams play more 50 overs than others, and it just doesn’t always match up, so we’re still trying to get it right, and we’re still very focused on playing 50 over World Cups, and 50 over cricket; it’s just when it fits into the schedule, and as we know, the cricket schedule is very busy.”

England’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the Men’s ODI World Cup hang in the balance following an embarrassing eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka. Their batting performance in the match was marked by indecision, oscillating between attacking and defending strategies.

In their upcoming clash against India at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, England faces a formidable opponent in top form. India has won all of their five matches with comprehensive performances in both batting and bowling.

Trescothick, a former England ODI player, emphasized the excitement of playing against India in a World Cup hosted in their own country. He acknowledged the special nature of such opportunities and expressed the team’s eagerness to put on a strong performance.

Trescothick concluded, “There’s nothing more that we can offer apart from going out and playing that performance; then hopefully you come out on top at the end of it, it’s exciting. Having been where we’ve been and coming now into this game, the buzz of what it will be – building up for the game and then into the game tomorrow will be good. So, really excited for it.”

As England grapples with its commitment to the 50-over format and seeks to revive its World Cup campaign, the clash against India promises to be a captivating spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.