Sri Lanka ODI Series Scant Preparation for England's World Cup Hopes
England are three games into a seven-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. The performances have so far ranged from mediocre, to predictable, to promising. Whatever the result of the series—positive, negative or indifferent—the vast difference in conditions, pitches and squad configuration mean it is hardly the greatest preparation for the World Cup.
The tourists are a side out of form and lacking in confidence. They are ranked fifth in the ICC rankings for ODI cricket.
They are a team in search of a winning formula: self-assured batsmen in a settled line-up, fully-fit bowlers who have found a rhythm and well-rehearsed battle plans.
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Yet England are facing a side who are regularly bowling four spinners. The pitches are slow and take spin—they encourage spin bowlers, variation and expert wrist work.
The World Cup, now just 72 days away, is hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The pitches will be hard and true—they will encourage fast bowling, seam movement and aggressive ball-striking.
England have just won a rain-affected game in the jungle of Hambantota in Sri Lanka. On 14 February, England open their World Cup campaign against the pace-heavy attack of Australia in Melbourne.
The two situations could scarcely be more polarised.
Just as fans should not be too quick to judge England on their exploits on this tour—whether in condemnation or praise—the selectors are not being afforded the whole picture.
While players can obviously still impress in Sri Lanka, the conditions again play a crucial role. Coach Peter Moores and his assistant Paul Farbrace are not only looking for good performances, but they're also considering implications for February.
While James Tredwell and Moeen Ali may well prove England’s most effective weapons in Sri Lanka, they are unlikely to unsettle batsmen at Wellington or Sydney.
Out-of-touch batsmen Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan have not been provided the easiest place to rediscover form. At his best, Bell is a graceful and fluent stroke-maker. Morgan is an ingenious and unorthodox player capable of a leading role in the side.
Low-scoring matches in Asia are a far sight from what is likely to be a high-octane World Cup.
The problem is the same with bowlers. Steven Finn is arguably England’s most promising, aggressive and destructive fast bowler and, if on form, would be ideally suited to Australia and New Zealand. However, in order to make the World Cup XI, Finn is tasked with impressing on slow, unsuitable pitches.
Similarly, contenders for a World Cup all-rounder spot, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan are currently using a different skill set to the one required in 2015.
Added to these considerations, there must also be looming doubt. England’s two best bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, are not part of England’s touring party in Sri Lanka. However, they will undoubtedly lead the bowling attack in the World Cup.
England, of course, do have a tri-series against Australia and India scheduled prior to the World Cup. This contest against the two top-ranked ODI sides in Australia will undoubtedly prepare them much better for the World Cup.
This is not to say that the Sri Lanka series is entirely without merit. England must use the remainder of the series to get up to speed with ODI cricket and develop a settled side with a clear strategy.
To pin a side’s World Cup hopes on a tour in completely contrasting conditions and missing two talismanic players would be wrong. We must wait before we can pass judgement.
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