In a way, the five-match ODI series between England and Australia, which kicks off in Nottingham on Thursday, feels somewhat detached from broader context. This series is part of a broader trend where previously lengthy tours by India and Australia have been fragmented by format and spread out over the four-year cycle. It seems designed to maintain the momentum of the 'Big Three' between major Test summers. Despite the enduring rivalry, tickets have been selling well despite the onset of autumn, and for Harry Brook, there's a bit more at stake. Brook has had a somewhat underwhelming international season in terms of runs, particularly with those two disappointing performances against Sri Lanka at the Oval. Additionally, there's the chance to gain more experience against Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood before the high-stakes Ashes tour in 2025/26, as well as an opportunity to further develop his captaincy skills with an eye on the future.
Ollie Pope operated within tight constraints when temporarily in charge of the Test side against Sri Lanka, following the template set by Ben Stokes. However, Brook arguably has more freedom. Brendon McCullum doesn't officially take over as England's all-format head until January—Marcus Trescothick is the interim head coach until then—and Jos Buttler, who is out of this series due to a calf injury, hasn't exactly led a well-oiled machine over the past year. For Brook, this is about introducing the McCullum ethos before the full takeover. “It's all going to blend together at some point,” said Brook, whose captaincy experience includes leading England Under-19s, a temporary stint for Yorkshire in T20s, and Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. “We're going to have the same principles [so it's about] trying to implement that with the team before Baz takes over.
“Me and Tres [Trescothick] are on the same page with Baz, we want to entertain the crowd, take the game on, try to take wickets and put pressure on their bowlers. And in the field, chase down every ball and try to influence the game as much as possible.” Like the squad that drew 1-1 in the T20s over the weekend, this is a revamped England team for their first five-match ODI series since before the 2019 World Cup. It also provides an opportunity for talents like Jacob Bethell, and sees the personnel overlap more with the Test setup. Of the 16 players, seven will tour Pakistan next month—dates and venues still to be confirmed—and, like the Test setup, there's a clear push to bolster the fast bowling roster. There are seven, with Jofra Archer being the standout name here.
This will be Archer's first List-A match in 18 months and, after focusing on four-over spells, marks another step towards a Test return next year. Brook mentioned there are no pre-set limits on Archer's in-game workloads, though the likes of Olly Stone, Saqib Mahmood, and the uncapped John Turner—i.e., the other fast bowlers in the mix—indicate England's plan to rotate throughout the series. Australia, the reigning World Cup champions and on a streak of 12 consecutive wins, have brought a strong squad. Pat Cummins is resting ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series at home, and to the disappointment of his English friends on the boundary, David Warner has retired. But Starc and Hazlewood make up two of the big three seamers on tour, with Steve Smith returning alongside Marnus Labuschagne, while Adam Zampa, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell are all key players.
There are also some promising youngsters to watch. Jake Fraser-McGurk showcased his dual threat with a blistering 31-ball 50 in Cardiff last Friday, while Cooper Connolly, who sounds like he should be playing rugby league for a Sydney team, actually hails from Western Australia and is another promising batter. One or both might have to wait for their chance, though, as Australia aims to maintain their winning momentum against a revamped England side.
