England's ODI win over India signals World Cup progress

England capped a strong limited-overs tour of India with a 2-1 victory in the one-day international series, following a 4-0 clean sweep in the T20 matches. The results marked a turnaround for head coach Brendon McCullum, who took charge of the white-ball setup after England's Test side lost a series to New Zealand in June.

The series win over the world's top-ranked ODI side has renewed optimism about England's 50-over credentials, less than a year before the next World Cup. England struggled at the 2023 tournament but now appear to be rebuilding momentum similar to the run that carried them to the 2019 title.

Opening pair experiment pays off

England's most notable tactical change was promoting Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell to the top of the order. The left-handed duo became the team's sixth different opening combination since the 2023 World Cup, with Phil Salt, Jamie Smith and Zak Crawley currently out of contention.

After modest starts in the first two games, the pair delivered a record-breaking stand at Lord's. Duckett scored his fourth ODI century, while Bethell fell just short of a second, finishing on 91 with 11 fours and two sixes. Their partnership was the highest ODI opening stand ever recorded at the venue.

• England won the ODI series 2-1 and T20 series 4-0 against India
• Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell set a record ODI opening stand at Lord's
• Duckett scored his fourth ODI hundred in the deciding match
• Bethell's promotion allows England to field an extra bowler
• Joe Root is expected to play a key role in England's World Cup campaign

Why it matters

Bethell's move up the order gives England greater bowling depth, allowing them to field three seamers plus spinner Adil Rashid alongside all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks. The balance of the side appears more settled than at any point since the last World Cup.

England's next focus will be on maintaining this form and refining their squad before the World Cup, which is now just over a year away. With the opening combination showing early promise and senior players like Joe Root still central to the plans, the selectors have reason for cautious confidence.