Test Match Special - Banton blasts England to series win

Episode Date: September 27, 2026

England thrashed Sri Lanka at the Oval to finish the summer with a series victory.Simon Mann is joined by Phil Tufnell, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Russel Arnold and Andy Zaltzman to review the Sri Lanka series and the limited overs summer and ask how strong England’s white ball unit looks going into the winter.Plus, we hear from England captain Harry Brook, Player of the match Tom Banton, Player of series Will Jacks, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis and England white ball coach Brendon McCullum.

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A court quite brilliantly. By the man who started the summer as part of the England test side. finished it leading it and Joe Root takes the catch that seals the summer seals the series and England have beaten Sri Lanka by 223 runs so an emphatic victory for England by 223 runs in this final one-day international of the season so England take the series by two matches to one in a way they saved some of their best to last today scoring 355 for six and they had to work at it as well because they were 108 for two after 25 overs Sri Lanka had a bit of a grip on them but then brook and tom banton at the day of his life he broke free and made his first century for england and jordan cox in for butler today making 76 so let's have a look back on the match and the series ebony rain for brent is here phil toughnal is here russell arnold is here well firstly reflections from you uh russell um You said to us and you said it consistently, Sri Lanka have one good game in them.

Spoil someone's party somewhere. Yeah, we saw it the other day at Headingley where they played really well, but this was something completely different. Yeah, they just couldn't continue to maintain that intensity that was required to beat a good team like England. And the moment they couldn't pick up those early because there were a couple of catches that went down at that stage, which dented the confidence and when Banton and Brooke suddenly decided that it was time to make a

difference they had no answers really so they had to be on top of their game they had to make those catchers count and they were not hard ones those were straightforward catches which probably just brings back the feelings of the losses and poor form that has been leading up to this game and there was no looking back from there now Rue was dropped on 15 by Nassanka that didn't cost very much for 18 today. Been out at sorts, actually. 18 from 37 balls. He just couldn't come to terms of the

pitch, the conditions, the bowling, whatever it was. And Brooke was dropped on seven by wicketkeeper Kusel Mendez standing up, made 77 from 66 balls. But it was Tom Banton's day today, Tuffers. Yeah, no, really grabbed hold of it, didn't they? You know, there's been this

who's going to open the batting with Ben Duck, he went for a duck, and I think he went through different phases of his innings, really. I was quite impressed by that, how he saw a like absorbed a bit of pressure when it came on, you know, and then slowly got into his knocked and the pace and the tempo of his innings was very nice. And then he got to his hundred. You could see how, you know, delighted he was with that and then sort of went on.

But, you know, I was impressed with him. He's a very good player of spin, which is always handy, because his England side sometimes have a bit of a weakness against spin on slow pitches. But he's a very good player of it. So, you know, what was his 10th game and he's, you know, got his hundred and he'll be over the movement. Yeah, and I think there's a few things. I don't know if you'd agree with this tough.

I feel like batters around that 27, 28 age, they come of age in the sense they know their game, but they're still young enough to have a long career. I sense the way he adapted so well today. He can play different conditions. He can go aggressive when he needs to. He can dial it back when the ball's nipping around a little bit. So he showed that sort of flexibility and then you think now is the perfect time for him.

He's at his nine games. He's now got his first century and he's just sort of making that mark. So he looks like he's kind of primed to kick on. Yeah. And that's what's been levied at this England side, doesn't it? That they haven't quite been able to sort of like see situations.

You know, they've gone too hard. Let's go harder. Let's go harder. You know, we'll hold on a minute we're all out for 150. You know, that wasn't the kind of wicket. I think he's now sort of like, I think you're spot on, you know. He's starting to sort of like read situations, pressure, absorbing

that pressure. And he's looking at, you know, he's looking to come through the other side and you've got to work on the right you've got to earn the right to get hundreds in international cricket and that's now sort of coming to fruition for him I didn't think he was troubled at all in this innings because he was scoring at a run of ball when England were 90 odd for two he was in his 60s scoring at just about there at hundred it was it was like he was on a different pitch yeah and really really good to see I've from overseas been

waiting for a long time to see what Tom Banton can actually do. And this was not an easy opportunity because you know he's filling in for others. So to react to that pressure as well was outstanding. I've seen him on a few occasions though. As you say, do that, do that. Get the 30, 40 and then all of a sudden some sort of wild hack and he goes straight up in the air. Well, it happened on Thursday, Headingley, where he was looking so good. And then he was stumped off Will Aligave for 73.

And that was kind of part of the start of England's decline. A game they really should have won. Yeah. it's all about learning, isn't it? It's all about taking these experiences and pushing you forward. And you can see now in this England side just little sort of building blocks that things are starting to slot into place. Yeah, the other weird thing, of course, about Bantam, you know, coming out today, and potentially giving the selectors a headache or whatever the cliché is. I mean, Bethel is supposed to be playing at the top of the order.

He's all supposed to be playing, but of course, you know, for one reason or another, he's not playing as much as they would have liked or hoped because he's got this knee. injury and he probably won't go away he's not going to Pakistan as well he might be fit for Australia. Yeah but I think the squad actually a sign of a good squad is when when they becomes more selection headaches or when a player butler's out with injury and Jordan Cots can come in when you've got enough depth and then when those depth players come in and have an impact on the game you start to go hold on this squad is building it's thriving it's growing then within the squad as well I know from my own experience when you notice the bench strength is strong you think I need to stay at the top

otherwise I lose my space. So that starts to build kind of the environment that you need. KP said it as well. He's been quite public about you know Butler being out. This just opens up opportunities for people to impress. I think those sort of things are important. So Beth will not being here, he will be sat there thinking I need to get fit ASAP because I could be losing my spot or my preferred spot. You know, just but just butler be thinking I need to get fit ASAP just in case the young pups take the the spot you know those sort of questions become really important for a side thriving. And Jordan Cox, I've been really impressed with this summer as well,

played really well in the test match. She's kept well in the test match as well. And everything that's been asked of him, he's gone out and done, isn't it? And as you say, that just builds that sort of confidence and that, as you were saying, that sort of like strength of the side, which just drives people forward.

The only thing I had, though, with Cox, Colomgey, when he came out, his first couple of overs. And it might be something, I don't know, You saw him back, but just whether he needs to just tighten up on that early spin game when it's spinning. Yeah, this picture was a little different. There were some challenges and those who took some time, like as you said, earn the right to score runs or the ones who were able to express themselves. But if they were going to go after everything from the moment they came in,

I'm sure they wouldn't have got the score. Yeah, I think you can certainly see a little change of mindset. I mean, where England were nowhere, were they what, 12 months? ago. I mean, I think we were seventh, you know, so something sort of had to change, and I don't think it was personnel necessarily, you know, or talent or anything. I think it was just a slight little change and shift in mindset. And I think you can see that now sort of happening. Yeah, well, they do look a better side. They have looked a better side in, well, in T20 cricket, they're fine, aren't they? They're really strong side. I mean, they win most games, which is pretty unusual in T20 because you think you, you know, it's kind of like, it feels like a sort of sometimes like a 60-40 game, doesn't it in terms of winning or a 65-30? 35 but they've you know their stats are so good in in T20 one day international cricket this year they've beaten Sri Lanka away which is always You know tough for an England side to go to shranker and win they beat in India at home which you know must be a big confidence boosted especially to come back in that series they lost the first game at edge They've beaten Sri Lanka I think we'd have expected England to beat Sri Lanka in English condition I think even you Russell probably would have expected that would it was going to be hard all all the while just knowing where the Sri Lankan team is as well and England being as powerful as they are.

They have changed their mindset, how England are playing. And I think they're pushing games to the zone they like. And that zone is creating the 20 over environment or 20 over targets and then freeing themselves with their stroke play. But there are certain times you feel they go into their shell, but that's when they're at their best. It's straight after that that they express themselves. and there's proper skills come out.

So I think maybe that's the way they're thinking to make it easy for themselves. Yeah, you said when we were on commentary, that you couldn't quite see this side winning a World Cup in, what is it, next October or something? Yeah, 14 months time. Yeah, 14 months time. I think that they might be in with a shout of it,

you know, with a little bit of luck on your side. You've always got to have that little bit of luck. But, yeah. Let's hear from Will Jax now. He is with Henry Moran. Player of the series, Will Jax. Many congratulations. you must be delighted with how the last few weeks have gone.

Of course, very happy, I think. On a personal note, obviously very happy with how I've performed in the situations I've been out in. And on the team note, obviously, I think to finish the summer with two series victories we're also very happy with. You must be pleased to be building a little bit of an established role within the side down in that middle order. Yeah, I feel really confident growing with every series.

And I think every game you play and you experience different scenarios. you're only going to grow quite quickly. And I think in coming months as well, we've got a series in vastly different conditions as well, which is only going to hopefully improve myself and the team. In terms of the messaging coming into this game, because it actually felt quite a big match,

given what happened at Headingland. Definitely. Any series decider is a big match. We spoke a lot about that when we played India at Lords, and we had a decider in July, and we were very happy to win that. And the same today. It feels like it's mimicking kind of World Cup pressure situations,

which is obviously what we're building. to in 12 months time. So any time we can put ourselves under that pressure, we're going to look forward to and really try and test ourselves. And coming in today, obviously, we knew we wanted to win and perform in a certain way. And to win by 220 runs is obviously very convincing so we're happy. Sometimes it feels like a slightly sort of maligned format 50 over cricket. Do you enjoy it? I do enjoy it. I think as someone who plays a lot of T20 cricket, it's nice to play something different. And I think 50 over World Cups really feel like the pinnacle of whiteball cricket. so to experience one of those and to hopefully play a part in a big part in one of those is something

I'm really looking forward to and it's a brilliant opportunity for the team yeah well Kusel Mendez is making a mischief of himself behind you so I'm going to grab a word with the Sri Lankan captain who's strolling over Kussel commiserations today what what happened I think including me we done badly in the Philly then I'm drops A little bit catchers and including me and dropped one catch. That's why they got more than 300 runs. Did it feel at the halfway stage that it would be too many to chase? No, the wicket is pretty little bit good.

I think we start really well in the power play. Then I think after the power play we give a little bit back to bet wickets. Then that's why they guys come to the game to the game. And what are your overall feelings about the series and the tour to England? Honestly, I think some bowlers are doing well, including well allah, he bought really well. And Polomba, he debuted in UK. Then very hard to come to the first time in UK played the entire cricket.

Then he done really well. Otherwise, some matches, bowling well, fast bowlers. I think some batters are doing well. Overall, we played a couple of good games. a little bit happy to bowl us and batting part sometimes. And then just finally look ahead to the Tri-Series in Pakistan coming up. That'll be an interesting series, no doubt. Yeah, of course, then Pakistan and England both have a very good team.

Similar condition to Sri Lanka, then condition is a bit different. We played so many games in Pakistan, then we know how to manage the condition then I hope when I go to Pakistan do well this year go well many thanks for your time and congratulations on the series as well Harry Brooke is not a million miles away so I'll see if we can grab a word with the England captain who is just over here in conversation with Brendan McCullum he's got his medal on and he's just wandering over to join us Harry your reflections at the end of the game the end of the series that was a near perfect ODILUM

for us there. I thought we were outstanding the way Bants batted. There was some tricky periods with the bat and but we were patient. We knew that the period between 30 to 40 overs was going to be important and we tried to kick on from there and then the way that we batted at the back end in the last 10 over was exceptional as well. The running between the wickets was phenomenal and then the way that we bowled was just top draw. You seem like you've got a blueprint for this side that you really want them to follow that the identity is quite clear in your mind Is that fair? Definitely, yeah.

We want to be one of the fittest, strongest, most robust, high-octane cricket team. To do that, we've got to work hard away from the game, training, and we've got to try and become that team that can perform again like that if we were to play tomorrow. So we want to be fit, we want to be strong, and we want to be adaptable. How are your energy levels, Harry, because you've played every single game that England's men have performed in this summer? I'm absolutely fine. I've said countless times I love playing cricket for England.

It's my main priority and just trying to enjoy every moment that I'm wearing the shirt. I can see you've got a huge smile on your face. You absolutely love it. I'm always smiling. What's not to love about playing cricket for your country in front of good crowds like we saw today and again in a series defining match as well, lads have stood up and they've showed their worth and I thought it was an exceptional day to be part of English cricket. Word for Tom Banton, player of the match, fine innings.

Unbelievable. And just to come in for these three games as well and stand up the way he has done at 70 he got, last game was an exceptional knock, but then to top it off and go get 100 today was outstanding. He's got the ability to play spin, left and right handed. You can play the short ball well, like I said the other day. And he's cached in today and he's fully deserves it

and I'm very proud of him. And just finally, now look ahead to a busy little period of whiteball cricket. First that try series, then on to Australia. Yeah, we go over to Pakistan mid-October and again we'll be trying to go out there and do the same things. And adapting to conditions is going to be slightly different over there with the lower skiddy nature of Pakistani wickets. But that's where we want to be able to capitalize on adapting and being that side that we talk about. And being able to play the conditions as well as possible.

Harry, many thanks for your time. Really appreciate it and well done this summer. as we'll wait to hear from Brendan McCullum who is walking towards us now he is here is the England coach Brendan well how do you react to the end of the series in the whiteball summer yeah really positively I think we've seen both whiteball teams grow over over the summer I think you know to ultimately and continue to improve our style of play become more familiar with it be tested in contrasting conditions against strong opponents has been it's been very it's been very challenging for for us but I feel like we've improved as a side and we're a little bit more rounded.

Obviously in T20 cricket we're going very well sitting near the top of the rankings and 23 out of our last 26 but for me another really pleasing aspect is that I still think there's growth in that side and when it comes to the one day side we know that where we sit on the on the ladder at the moment is not a reflection of what our capabilities are but we need to we need to keep challenging ourselves like we have in this series to find ways to embed our style of play and to keep improving. There's a couple of other areas which I think we can improve. I feel as we move towards a World Cup,

which we want to be challenging for, I think it's vitally important. When you look at the schedule of that World Cup, how arduous it is, how demanding it is, mentioned numerous times. I want us to be the fittest, strongest, most robust cricket side that plays a high-arctane style of play. And for that, you need to be extremely fit.

So that will be a focus of ours over the next little while. But overall, it's been a very successful, wide ball season. You mentioned fitness. What other areas do you look at and think, well, there's somewhere we can get better? Well, I think, firstly, I mean, one thing that I'm really pleased with about today is we're obviously made three changes from the last side. We've had numerous injuries.

Josh Butler was injured and, you know, Jacob Bethel, Sam Curran, Adelaidea, been out of the side. They're four very big players to take out of one side. And then you see, you know, Tom Banton at the top of the order and unfamiliar roles being superb throughout this series. And obviously Jordan Cox was brilliant today. Liam Dawson, the experience that he's got in these conditions. And Sonny Baker, the wicket that he took at the start of today as well,

is we identified it was the area where a little bit we needed to improve in terms of trying to strike a little bit more with a new ball. And Sunny's got some of those X-factor skills as well. So there's lots of depth aspects that you want to continue to grow. These guys outside of sort of Joss, Joe and Adil Rashid, I think the next highest amount of games is Harry Brut with 41 and then Joffar Archer at 40 and then you're going into six and seven and ten games. So we need game time, exposure and opportunity into that next calibre, our next group of players because we're going to need depth across the squad when you get to South Africa. What about the impact of Kevin Peterson?

How's that been? Yeah, it's been brilliant. Look, Kiv's obviously, you know, he's an incredible player. He was an incredible player and him and I have gone. We've got a good relationship. We've respected each other all the way through and we've got a great working relationship here. He's exactly what we need at this point in time, which is someone that has got a slightly different take on how things can be done.

He's unbelievably respectful about giving some feedback and he thinks in a slightly different way which I really like and I think he's been a brilliant addition for us. What about your summer more generally because much has changed since when you first arrived to kick off the summer? Yeah, it's been eventful. But, you know, I genuinely think, as we stand here at the end of the summer, there's been lots of twists and turns, lots of things which have unfolded. But I genuinely feel like English cricketers are in a really good space right now.

Obviously, I've got the time and to be able to focus now on the white ball and drill down on some areas that I think we need to improve. And obviously, my relationship with Brookie. And then obviously the Red Bull side, Stephen Flemmy is one of my best mates. I know how good a coach he is, how good a man he is, and how good a job he'll do with the England test side. And I think they've got themselves now an opportunity to work on the next step. And I think overall the organisation's in a really good spot.

And we've had to go through some ups and downs, but I do feel really positive about all three teams across English cricket. And then building towards that tri-series and Australia, there's a lot of white ball cricket to come. Yeah, there is. We've got 20-odd-odd i's, and that's exactly what we need. We'll also try and we're trying to include quite a number of warm-up games as well for the reason that

a lot of these guys just haven't played a lot of one-day cricket and you need to even in the second ODI we found ourselves in a situation where with more experience we would have perhaps been able to work out how to get across the line in that one but you don't know until you know and

for us it was a great education piece of how do we keep assessing conditions and situations and trying to come up with ideas and ways to be able to, and methods to be able to implement to succeed and you know that's That's what the next 20-odd-one days and all the warm-up games we've got. Yes, we want to win those series,

but we also want to make sure we're cherry right when we get to South Africa. And you believe this England side has what it takes to win that World Cup potential? Look, we've got a lot of hard work to go. We will need to be as good as we can be for a long period of time in different conditions in a very compact tournament against a varying range of opposition styles as well. So look, I think if we can map things out how we want to, we can continue to evolve how we want to and progress as a side

and learn as quick as what I'm hoping, and we get our fitness at a level that we can play that style of cricket, then I think we can challenge for it, yeah. Many thanks to your time. Cheers, Brenda. Good to speak to you. Thank you. There we go. I think that's pretty much a lot from down here on the boundary edge. This is the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.

Warm up matches, Tupperus. It made me lot. It made me lot. He said warm up matches. Yeah, he got 20 matches and a lot of warm up matches. We want to win them as well. Well, cry, car wanna. They didn't say that.

High octane. Yeah, high octane. Yeah, just hear the messaging coming there. I think Harry said exactly what Brendan said about. It's strongest, most robust, I think it was. It must be sort of up in the dressing room, in big bold letters, you know. Patient came out, adaptable. Yeah.

But I think he's right, you know. I think we are. a pretty good place. As you say, we're playing some magnificent T20 cricket. This is building. Fleming now, working together with his best mate in the test matches, having just taken over from his best match, so there's going to be lots of communication about that as well. So I think they are in a good place. Yeah, I mean, you picked me up before we went to hear the interviews about saying, I didn't think England were in the sort of top tier of World Cup challenges next year. You know, right at the top. I think they're in the frame. I think now probably four other teams,

realistically that can win the World Cup. And the reason I say that is because I didn't like what I saw heading the other evening, a team that really should have won and lost a game they really should have won. And actually Brendan McCullum alluded to it there when he talked about, you know, there are players who don't have that much experience.

And I suppose the next year is about getting that experience to be exposed to those sorts of run chases so you don't make the mistakes they made the other evening in big matches, one-off matches. Sri Lanka, for example, of beaten England. in the last three World Cups, one-off games. So that was kind of what I was thinking. Yeah, no, absolutely.

Couldn't agree more. Better for longer, he said there as well. We've got to be better for longer. England had these little sort of like chunks of form and then fall off a cliff. I remember there was a while back, but Paul Farlbrace, when he was involved, said he had this theory that he needed to get players to about 30 caps.

That's right, yeah. And it was about that. And when you hear the numbers that he was talking about, some of these players were six, nine today, Banton, that's a long way from that 30 kind of match. experience. I think there is that vitalness to in this next 12 months get those players experience. And Saltsman here as well. Yeah, so the volume of one day international cricket that England have played now since the 2019 World Cup about half the amount of matches that they were

playing in the in that 2015 to 2019 cycle and the couple of World Cup cycles before that which is one of the reasons there are so few players with that that level of experience. They just haven't been playing much as a team. But they're really encouraging signs that they've won their last three series. Two against Sri Lanka, one against India. All went to a deciding third match. Just hold on one second, Zoltz, because Henry's got Tom Banton, the player the match with him. And he's clutching a bottle of champagne and delighted with his efforts today, no doubt.

Tom. Congratulations on a first international hundred. Yeah, it's a special day, I guess, as a kid, it's something you dream of doing and never believe it's going to happen. Yeah, when I was, I'll be honest, getting close to 100, it was horrible. I just wanted it to happen either way. But now it's an amazing day I will never forget, I think, forever. And to be on the winning side also makes a difference. You say you didn't believe it would ever happen.

Did you genuinely think that, you know, obviously you started your career with a real bang in England colours? Did you think that there was a time when this day wouldn't come? You never know, do you? It's sport for you. But just, you'd like to think there's a chance it could happen. but you never know D, but to kind of, yeah, get my first international 100 is surreal feeling and yeah, it's going to be a special few days, I'm sure. Talk me through the emotion when you saw the ball heading towards the boundary and you knew you'd done it.

Yeah, I just run a bit numb, to be honest, and having Brookie at the other end was pretty special as well. Being a best friend, we're very good friends of him for a very long time. So, yeah, there's not really too much the same. I'll say it's kind of surreal really that's happened, but yeah, it's just been an amazing day. And what about this team? It looks like a really sort of solid unit both as cricketers but also as a team. Yeah, it's everyone knows their roles.

It's, yeah, it's just, I think everyone's playing really well. The moment, the T20 stuff's going really well and things are starting to click in the 50 over format as well, which is really exciting. There's a lot of 50 over cricket coming up, the World Cups and at this time next year. so yeah look there's still a lot of 50 over cricket between now and then just get a small you know get a few things put right but no it's really exciting how you're going to celebrate this evening i'm sure i'll have a few drinks uh my family and fiancee and her family all here so i'm sure go and see them and yeah have a few drinks of everyone well enjoy it many congratulations well played today and throughout the series thanks top thank you cheers mate thank you Well, that's Tom Banton with Henry.

I'm slightly understated there for a man who's just had the best day of his cricketing life lovers. Perhaps he's just sort of taking it all in and perhaps he's a little bit overwhelmed by it. But, yeah, great day for him, as you say. Interesting that, you know, Henry said there, did you think that, you know, this day would come and he's... Well, I think he sort of said, well, I don't know. But he's obviously taken it. It'll be absolutely delighted with that. Perhaps he's just, you know, keeping his emotions in check.

I mean, you're sure what it meant to win when he went to the 100, he was absolutely over the means. So, well-played boy. Yeah, fabulous day for him. As he said, you know, you will remember it for the rest of his life. Dults, we cut you off. Yes, I was picking up on England, sort of improved recent form. Three series wins in a row.

They'd lost six of their previous seven, and the other one was a three-nil win against West Indies, who are currently ranked 10th in the world. They won deciding matches in each of those three series. I'd make it they'd lost their six previous series, deciding matches when the scores were level going into the final game. So both aspects of the game you need in World Cup's the ability to win consistently, but also the ability to win bigger games.

Now, to put that in context prior to this run of three wins in a row, in England's previous 13 series against top 10 ranked side since 2022, they'd won only three series out of 13. So it's sort of hugely improved in finishing today with a win by 223 runs. England's fifth biggest win by runs in ODI cricket, also Sri Lanka's fifth biggest defeat in this format. England's matches before the World Cup. They've got a series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan again, and New Zealand.

They're playing most of the top teams. India they've beaten this summer. Russell, I know for certain, though, that when England get to play Sri Lanka in the World Cup, they will not be taking them lightly. Even though I don't put Sri Lanka in my top five likely World Cup winners, they can be really dangerous on the day. But that's the problem, isn't it? They can tweak the odd nose, but they can't seem to be really consistent over a sort of length of time perhaps.

Yeah, day in, day out, you do have to be on top of your game and play with that same energy. They're able to do it now and again, but not over the time frame that's required to win tournaments. And that's a trend we've seen over a period of time. That's why you heard me say, look, they just have one good game more often than not, and that's what we'd like to see them do different. And when you watch them play at certain times, you feel that there's tremendous skill here. Why can't the performances be so much better? But I do agree with you in putting them up there in the top five, likely World Cup winners.

It's probably, you know, if they're going to challenge everyone, they'll have to do lots of changes. And these players will have to play a lot, a lot better and be smarter at certain times where you've got to win moments, isn't it, Phil? If you don't win those moments, you're going to fall behind. at any given stage. Yeah, they were unlucky today because they did have moments. They did have moments when the two spinners were creating pressure. They was good, you know, they got those early wickets, got Joe Rue out of. They made it hard for England.

They did, but England just sort of like absorbed it. They had the quality. Yeah, yeah. And now the awareness that they need to absorb some pressure and set that foundation. They know they have the power to catch up, to do some damage, but get yourself into a position from where you can deal those punches is what England need to totally focus on but Sri Lanka have a lot of work to do a lot of work to do in getting team balance right the batting is not as strong because after Willala get seven the bowlers

just bowl so a lot of scratching the head there what's happened to shrank in cricket because I mean you produce so many top-class players I mean you were talking about earlier about you know the players you played with there are so many early's retired my leagues I know but they were players that were Arad Vindus Silvitt but you replaced him didn't you? Superstars. You came up with other superstars as well and they were naturals isn't it they were freaks Murali we had the Ajanta mendices come through they were all different types of players who brought in something different and the players that in that era then followed Sangha Kar at Jaewardana there was a succession plan but from then on I don't

think the future was thought of too much even you think Sri Lanka you'll relate them to quality spinners but they don't spend that play spin that well Dawson and Will Jack sometimes look like morally or someone who's bowling you know you can't let that happen because you're not gonna be able to put pressure on the opposition in seeming conditions or bouncy conditions if you're letting the spiners get away or spinners actually dominate you so they've gone away from their strengths the focus has not really been there in developing these players has been the problem it's been taken for granted that they'll just keep flowing yeah right final thoughts

everyone final thought from you ebony on where this england team is at the moment in 50 over cricket trajectory in the right direction talent is there depth is emerging now it's that adaptable piece and if they can build that together next 12 months looks good Thomas took the words out of my mouth there No, absolutely. I think things are looking. Building blocks are getting put in place. You've got the likes of Peterson and McCullum in charge. I think this team is on the rise. I couldn't agree more. And final thought from you. Just in terms of that adaptability, England's spinners in this series, 13 wickets at average 15. That's England's best spin average in any ODI series or tournament of at least three or more matches.

And the way they're batting was patient early on, quite slow up to the 25 overmark, and then erupted 111 runs. in 10 overs from over as 26 to 35. England's second most in that period of innings in the top 10 of all time by any team and 247 runs in the last 25 overs to set up that thumping win. Well, it was the last match of the summer and Harry Brooke described it as near perfect.

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