England Benefitting from Freedom Provided by Positive Approach

England have beaten New Zealand 3-2 in an ODI series. The World Cup suddenly seems like a lifetime ago.

Over a thrilling five-match series, England have broken free from the shackles that their previous conservative and dated style of ODI cricket had created.

They have won back their fanbase with a new positive style characterised by freedom, attacking intent and playing with smiles on their faces.

After each game—regardless of the result—there has been widespread optimism and excitement. Playing against a side similarly unburdened by restraints, captain Eoin Morgan has been resolute in his stance of positivity, continually reasserting his excitement at the possibilities of his young side.

It was not long ago that England’s ODI batting used to resemble a painstaking chore conducted in an overthought, carefully constructed manner.

The batsmen were seemingly told how to play, filled with nervousness and defined by restrictions. In the middle overs, no matter what the situation, England would regress into a default consolidation mode that consisted of finding the gaps and reining in expansive shots.  

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Coach Peter Moores was lambasted for a perceived predilection with data. His second spell in charge of the side was noteworthy for its conservative nature. The game was played by the book: 300 was a good score and, in theory, it would win most games.

This series has changed everything.                               

In sport, words like “outlook,” “mentality” and “mindset” are undoubtedly overused. They are generally used as simplistic ways of explaining more complicated, deep-rooted issues. However, in this case, it is fair to say that a change in their mentality has brought about immediate improvement.

The talent has always been there. The ambition has never been questioned. Now the World Cup-tarnished slate has been wiped clean, this new group are seizing the opportunity to move forward.

Excitement is the overwhelming feeling among supporters: here is a team that is easy to support.  

Nowhere is this excitement more obvious than with the batting. Where caution once held sway, a glut of free swinging now prospers. Convention in tactics and shot selection has been replaced by invention and ambition.

It has not always come off—New Zealand’s sharpness in the field often saw to that—but it is a long way from the disastrous tournament not so long ago.

The entertainment has been non-stop. Fans have certainly got value for money over the past few weeks.

England have showed off the talent we all knew was there, but that rarely materialised under the old-fashioned, conservative approach of the previous regime.

Joe Root and Jos Buttler have proved themselves to be two of the most exciting, intelligent young cricketers in the world.

In scoring two centuries, Root has displayed the conventional run machine—full of perfectly timed drives and placement. Meanwhile, Buttler proved his destructive ability—full of inventive shots and powerful striking.

Add in Morgan back to his best with four consecutive scores of fifty or more before Chester-le-Street, as well as flashes from Alex Hales and Sam Billings, and you have a batting order fit to prosper for many years.

Jonny Bairstow’s heroic performance to win the series after a late inclusion simply underlined the depth of talent England have at their disposal.

It has not been perfect by any means—there were continued dropped catches throughout the series and occasional lapses in concentration—but the excitement is palpable.

England have finally come to the ODI batting party. Their youth, relentless optimism and fearlessness has brought them up to speed with the world’s best, and finally the fans have something to shout about.