Senior players Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow are expected to be omitted from England’s squads for the forthcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia. The selectors and team management are reportedly focusing on younger players who could contribute to the team in the long run.
England is scheduled to host a three-match T20I series and a five-match ODI series against Australia. The T20Is will take place on September 11, 13, and 15, while the ODIs are set for September 19 through 29.
Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow set to be dropped from England’s white-ball squads
In the Vitality Blast T20, Moeen Ali delivered an outstanding century before leading Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2024. However, his performance in The Hundred was lackluster, accumulating only 150 runs across nine matches with an average of 21.42 and a strike rate of 117.18.
Similarly, Jonny Bairstow had a disappointing run with Welsh Fire, scoring 123 runs in seven matches, averaging 20.50 and striking at 120.58.
Both players have faced a prolonged struggle with their batting form. Their underwhelming performances were evident during England’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, where their lack of runs contributed to the team’s poor results.
Liam Livingstone can be dropped too
Besides Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone is also under scrutiny for the ODI series against Australia. While Livingstone has been impactful in T20Is with his ability to provide quick runs down the order, his ODI record is less impressive. The 31-year-old all-rounder has a modest average of 29.36 from 25 ODIs, which questions his spot in the team.
Livingstone’s performance in The Hundred 2024 was also underwhelming, with just 134 runs at an average of 22.33 and a strike rate of 128.84.
The Telegraph reports that England might introduce a new talent, Jacob Bethell, for the upcoming Australia series. Bethell has an excellent T20 record, amassing 731 runs at a strike rate of 138.18 in 44 matches. His performance in The Hundred 2024 was also notable, scoring 166 runs in nine matches with an average of 33.20 and a strike rate of 132.80.
Additionally, England’s management is considering reintroducing Joe Root into the limited-overs setup. Root last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup, and since then, England has had just three ODIs. Root, a key figure in England’s batting lineup, could play a vital role in the 2025 Champions Trophy. With 6522 runs at an average of 47.60 and a strike rate of 86.77 from 171 ODIs, Root’s experience and ability to anchor the innings are highly valued.
