England’s one-day reality check: Five lessons learned from a chastening tri-series

The leg-spinner will turn 39 in February, but England are unlikely to repeat their 2019 success without him in their side.

Rashid played just once in the tri-series - in the opening defeat against Pakistan. He did not enjoy his best outing, taking 1-55 from eight overs, but he remains a major wicket-taking threat who can turn a game in England’s favour.

His record of 244 wickets in 165 ODI appearances speaks for itself. Moreover, he possesses the X-factor, experience and ability to produce something special when England need it most.

The team cannot rely on batting firepower alone to win global competitions

England posted two huge totals in their four games, including 429-4 against Sri Lanka on the back of Brook’s double century, but still lost that match by two wickets.

They have talent coming out of their ears when it comes to scoring quickly, but the shortcomings of a bowling attack without Rashid and with Jofra Archer rested were plain to see.

Three defeats and an early exit made that point perfectly.

England must develop a more ruthless edge

The tri-series revealed another problem - England’s inability to close out games they appeared to have under control.

Only once has a side chased more runs than the 430 Sri Lanka made to beat them in Rawalpindi.

The problem surfaced again when England let Pakistan off the hook in Lahore.

Pakistan were 154-9 chasing 242, only to snatch an extraordinary one-wicket win and leave England wondering how they had let that match slip away.

The balance of the side needs addressing

England looked one frontline bowler short and seemed too caught up in their desire to “bat deep”.

Their frontline batsmen are more than good enough to do the bulk of the run-scoring, and it is the bowling department that needs the most attention.

The balance of the side did not look quite right. England were particularly ineffective in the middle overs of their opponents’ innings and struggled to take wickets.

Can they get Rashid and fellow spinner Liam Dawson into the same side? Why not? On the evidence of this series, it might be a better option.

Tom Banton has emerged as a serious alternative to Jacob Bethell

In addressing the balance of their XI, England must also work out whether to keep faith with Tom Banton, who did well overall, and, if so, where that leaves Jacob Bethell, whose absence through injury gave Banton his chance.

Banton’s scores in the series were 57, 50, 4 and 74 - not quite the killer statistics that he was looking for to make himself indispensable, but he is clearly a fine player.

The right-hand/left-hand opening combination with Ben Duckett works well, with their partnerships in the series realising 91, 74, 4 and 163.

Bethell – now fit after a knee injury – could have few complaints should Banton keep his place for the three-match series in Australia that starts on November 13.