ODI tri-series: The recap

The tri-series is a precursor to a huge 2027 for England Men in 50-over cricket, with a three-match home series against New Zealand next summer their final preparation as they bit to regain the World Cup Trophy for the first time since 2019.

The series with New Zealand begins at Edgbaston Stadium, with the 1st Metro Bank Men’s ODI taking place on Tuesday 14 September. Tickets are 70% sold, so fans are encouraged to act quickly to avoid missing out. Buy yours.

England ended the tri-series group stage with a 55-run win over Sri Lanka, after coming out on the wrong side of a couple of thrilling contests in the days before.

Here are three positives England will be taking into their next ODI outing…

Duckett dominates

In England’s closing victory of the series, Ben Duckett produced an outstanding display of hitting at the top of the order, striking 167 from only 132 deliveries. Duckett’s knock included a staggering 24 fours, as he helped England put on a testing total of 386 for five.

With 346 runs at an average of 86.50 in the series, and having now recorded almost 2,000 runs in ODI cricket at an impressive average of 45.90, Duckett will be opening for the foreseeable future in the format.

Dawson stakes his claim

While Adil Rashid, who missed the tri-series due to injury, will likely remain England’s number one spinning option for the New Zealand series and the World Cup, Liam Dawson consolidated his place as England’s next best option.

The finger spinner ends the tri-series as England’s leading wicket taker, with seven wickets at an average of 21.42, and by taking 4/49 in the final fixture to help England to a much-needed victory.

Brook’s brilliance

Harry Brook is now the only player in world cricket that is ranked inside the world’s top ten in all three formats of the game, and it’s easy to see why. The England captain has an ability to play the most remarkable innings’, and that was on full display when he scored a simply ridiculous double-century against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

Brook was at his destructive, creative best in that game, with his first 200 in the format coming off only 116 deliveries and including 21 fours and ten maximums. While England would lose the contest by two wickets and with one ball remaining, Brook played a starring role.