Champions Trophy: England's biggest weakness ahead of the tournament

England are gearing up for the upcoming Champions Trophy, aiming to revive their white-ball game. Since winning the 2022 T20 World Cup, things have gone downhill for Jos Buttler and his team. They had a poor 2023 ODI World Cup in India and failed to defend their T20 title in 2024, losing to India in the semi-final.

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Recently, they toured India for a five-match T20I series (lost 1-4) and a three-match ODI series (lost 0-3). Their biggest weakness in both series was their inconsistent bowling unit. Pacers like Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood all featured but struggled to adapt. 

They relied too much on raw pace, consistently bowling at 145-150 kmph, which the Indian batters used to their advantage. In the second ODI, India chased 305 with ease in 44.3 overs, and in the last match, England conceded 356 runs. Atkinson had a tough tour, conceding 139 runs in just two ODIs.

Considering the conditions, England needed to bring variations into the equation, but only Overton showed some adaptability. Even though Adil Rashid ended as the highest wicket-taker in the ODI series, he lacked proper support. 

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Joe Root and Liam Livingstone were inconsistent, failing to build pressure from both ends. With Pakistan’s spin-friendly pitches, England’s bowlers must adapt. If their pacers do not mix things up, they could struggle again. The raw pace is important, but it should be used as a surprise, not a predictable weapon.

England are placed in Group B alongside Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Their campaign begins on February 22 against arch-rivals Australia, followed by matches against Afghanistan on February 26 and South Africa on March 1. The first two games will be in Lahore, while the last will be in Karachi. 

With an inexperienced pace attack and only one reliable spin option, England are likely to struggle in the upcoming tournament. However, if they manage to step up with the ball, their batters have the firepower to win games. The likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Harry Brook bring consistency, while their power-hitters can turn matches in England’s favour.

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