England’s World Cup squad: Ben Stokes? Chris Woakes? Who should stay and who should go for 2027 tournament? | Cricket News
“Everything good comes to an end.” That was England vice captain Moeen Ali’s assessment of their ODI World Cup performance.
A central figure in this white ball side, Moeen has been through everything that international cricket has to offer and after a dismal World Cup campaign from England, now eliminated and sitting bottom of the table have only won one out of their seven matches so far, said it feels like the “writing is now on the wall”.
“Everything good comes to an end and maybe the writing was on the wall and we just didn’t see it as players because we thought we’d be performing well,” said Moeen.
Highlights from England’s defeat to Australia at the Cricket World Cup, which confirmed the defending champions’ exit from the tournament.
“It’s very exciting because going forward, we’ve got some really good players we know will come into the squad, with that fearless playing, so that restart we had in 2015 could start again.
“I think if I was in charge I’d play the younger guys. I’d just start again and I’m sure they’re going to do that. You want that fearless approach again and it’s a great time to start again.
“If they say, ‘look we’re going to go with younger players and start again’ then I’m more than happy. I get it, I understand… everything good comes to an end at some point.”
If a 2015-esque restart is coming, this World Cup squad could be about to be ripped apart and, with that in mind, we take a look at who should stay and who should go from the ODI squad with the 2027 tournament in mind…
Jos Buttler
Michael Atherton believes England should stick with coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler, despite the side’s poor performance at the World Cup.
Age: 33
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: The question of whether Buttler should stay in the squad is a two-pronged one: Whether he should stay as a player and whether he should stay as a captain. As a player, he is one of the greatest white-ball cricketers England have had and the experience he brings to the side is invaluable, especially moving into what is set to be a transitional period for the side.
England skipper Jos Buttler says their Cricket World Cup exit is a ‘low point’ for him as captain and admits it ‘hurts a lot’.
However, if he is to stay, his role as captain is very much up in the air. He led England to the T20 World Cup title a year ago but now they are at the bottom of the table in the 50-over version, with elimination confirmed after a sixth defeat in seven and fifth in a row. If a lot of players are to move on and change is coming, a change at the top may also be required too as England’s red-ball team did by replacing Joe Root with Ben Stokes.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow hits half century in England’s fourth T20 against New Zealand off just 26 balls.
Age: 34
Stay or go: Go
Reason: The case of Bairstow is a tricky one as when he is on song, he seems unstoppable. However, he has a difficult year across formats and, by the time the next ODI World Cup rolls around, he will be 38. With the likes of potential openers Will Jacks, Zak Crawley, and Will Smeed waiting in the wings, he may feel it is time to reduce his focus to fewer formats.
Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by Alex Carey on the final day at Lord’s, with the ball deemed not dead when the England batter walked out of his crease.
Dawid Malan
Michael Atherton praised England’s Dawid Malan after the batsman recorded a career-best 140 in England’s 137-run win against Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup.
Age: 36
Stay or go: Go
Reason: Malan has been one of the brighter sparks in England’s ODI World Cup but at 36-years-old it seems a lot to believe he will still be first in line when 2027 comes. His place in the side has been up for discussion for a while and the conclusion of this World Cup seems the correct timing for England to chance their arm to breed some new openers for the future.
Joe Root
England’s Joe Root looks ahead to the Cricket World Cup encounter against Australia on Saturday and calls for more consistency over the full 100 overs.
Age: 32
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: Right now, he is struggling to find form in this format, averaging just five runs in the Powerplay since the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, if Root restores his rhythm, there is no one you would currently trust more in the No 3 spot. If his confidence returns, then England fans will be rubbing their hands at an excitingly youthful team, plus stalwarts like Root, in 2027.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes says there is no point trying to ‘sugar-coat’ Engand’s performances in the Cricket World Cup, admitting that they were ‘nowhere near good enough’.
Age: 32
Stay or go: In the balance
Reason: Stokes keeps his place in the side if, after his surgery, he can take a place as an all-rounder in the side. That is where his threat as an ODI player comes from and why he has been so crucial over the past few years. However, if he can only contribute in a batting role, selectors may feel it is time to bring in another all-rounder in his place.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has confirmed his retirement from Test cricket after helping England draw the Ashes series 2-2.
Age: 36
Stay or go: Go
Reason: It was Moeen himself who admitted it was time for a changing of the guard to reignite England’s “fearless approach” so it feels he is ready to step aside if asked. A loyal servant and brilliant cricketer, with incredible white-ball stats, but one who is ready to move onto the next stage of his career.
Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes admits there’s a lack of confidence in the England dressing room following their heavy defeat to India at the Cricket World Cup.
Age: 34
Stay or go: Go
Reason: Woakes has improved over England’s last two matches at the World Cup but is another player who will be 38 by the time the next ODI World Cup comes. He also doesn’t travel brilliantly and with the 2027 tournament in South Africa, his overseas record could go against him.
David Willey
David Willey reveals that not being handed a central contract by the ECB made his decision to retire from international cricket a lot easier.
Age: 33
Stay or go: Go (but should have stayed)
Reason: With the ECB opting not to offer Willey a central contract, he made the difficult decision to retire. However, at this World Cup, he has arguably been one of England’s top performers who could have battled for a spot in 2027.
“Upset, angry, disappointed. I think that, for me, made my decision a lot easier,” was Willey’s assessment of a lack of contact. Only time will tell if this was the correct decision from those in charge.
Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid bowls out Will Young first ball in England’s first ODI against New Zealand.
Age: 35
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: Although one of the older members of the ODI squad, Rashid has been one of the top performers at this World Cup and is still a very valuable asset in the spin bowling department. Not only is he continuing to perform well, he is a useful touch point for young spin bowlers coming through such as Reham Ahmed. Rashid is a useful voice in the dressing room that will feel he still has more to give.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone gets his second half century of the ODI series as he gets 50 from 47 balls.
Age: 30
Stay or go: Go
Reason: Livingstone knew he had to prove a point at this World Cup and he has unfortunately been unable to stamp his authority in that middle order. His dismissal against Australia for just two runs felt like the final nail and final chance for him to prove he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. If new, young players are coming through, it feels like Livingstone will be one of the ones to give way.
Mark Wood
Watch the moment England beat Australia by three wickets in the third Ashes Test at Headingley to keep the series alive.
Age: 33
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: Wood was given one of the longer central contracts from the ECB and so they feel he still has more to give. The threat that his speed provides is undeniable and he is willing to do the hard yards.
Harry Brook
Watch Harry Brook smash back-to-back sixes over cover during England’s innings against New Zealand.
Age: 24
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: It doesn’t feel an overstatement to say Brook is in line to be the future face of English cricket. He is one of the best players in the country right now and many were shocked to see him continually left out of this ODI side in India. By 2027, it feels like he will be the anchor in the batting line-up and, much like Stokes, will be the guy England turn to if they are ever in trouble. Over the next few years we will learn if he is up to the task.
Sam Curran
Sam Curran pulls off a sensational catch by diving full length to remove Glenn Phillips for 41.
Age: 25
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: The next few years feel like the biggest opportunity for Curran to really cement his place at No 7 in England’s order. He hasn’t been given many opportunities at this World Cup but is still a very young member of the squad with a lot more to prove. With more game time and opportunities, his future could be bright.
Brydon Carse
Brydon Carse grabs the key wicket of Daryl Mitchell in style to put England in a strong position.
Age: 28
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: When he has been given opportunities, Carse has grabbed hold of them. He has continually asserted his desire to be a central figure in an England white-ball side and after being drafted into the World Cup as an injury replacement for Reece Topley, will be starting to get a proper taste of what it feels like to be in those environments.
“He’s got that Ben Stokes element to him where you sometimes feel like nothing is happening and then he’ll pick up wickets, almost in a ‘Junior Plunkett’ kind of way. He’s very similar,” was Root’s assessment when he was called up to this World Cup so if he can fulfil the role Liam Plunkett did in 2019, he is an assured name on the teamsheet.
Gus Atkinson
Gus Atkinson makes an instant impact as he dismisses Devon Conway to claim his first ODI wicket!
Age: 25
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: Another youngster with lots of potential and sheer speed. England chose to bring Atkinson to India because of how well he had been bowling this year and with Wood to continue to learn from, it feels like he will only grow more and more into a role as one of England’s top pace bowlers.
Reece Topley
Reece Topley took three wickets as England edged closer to victory over New Zealand in the second ODI.
Age: 29
Stay or go: Stay
Reason: Although he had to leave this World Cup with an injury, Topley definitely has a lot more to give in international white-ball cricket. By the time 2027 comes, he will be one of the more experienced members of the England side and if he can stay injury free, will continue to be a real asset to the side.
Jofra Archer
England coach Matthew Mott says Jofra Archer will not replace Reece Topley in the World Cup squad if the latter is ruled out through injury.
Age: 28
Stay or go: Stay (hopefully)
Reason: It always feels like a case of ‘what could have been’ with Archer as he came out to this World Cup in India as a travelling reserve but then headed home once again deemed not fit enough to replace an injured Topley. If he can finally get rested, rehabilitated, and back in form, there is no telling the levels he could reach for England.
Watch England’s penultimate Cricket World Cup match, against Netherlands in Pune, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 8am on Wednesday (8.30am first ball). You can also stream the tournament without a contract through NOW.
