When England begins its Champions Trophy campaign against Australia in Lahore on February 22, it is safe to say that they will not bring the nation's hopes on their shoulders.
They have not even spent six years since a team led by Eoin Morgan embarked on his local World Cup prepared for action. In form, well greased and the favorites of many observers, raised the trophy on a dramatic day in Lord's. It is still one of the best in Crickt's history in England.
However, the contrast to Jos Buttler's side could not be greater. In 18 months, Crickt players of the White Ball of England have also gone from the double world champions to Rans, which culminated in seven losses of eight in India, some when humiliating the margins.
These are the first days for Brendon McCullum, now chief coach in all formats. But the performances in India inspired Little Hope England can reach the semifinals of the Champions Trophy at the end of the first two of a group that contains South Africa and Afghanistan, who embarrassed England during the 2023 World Cup.
And although the statements of Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen that England barely practiced in India seem wide to the brand, they took advantage of a broader and harmful perception: this lot prefers golf to Crickt, which mocks the nuances.
It is an accusation that has already begun to persecute the test team, whose tabsy bazball strategy began in a glow in Gloria in 2022, but since then it has suffered mixed results. And perceptions can be difficult to change, with Buttler this week feeling forced to demolish suggestions of a “lazy environment or lack of effort.”
The pressure is increasing on Captain Jos Buttler after England's actions in India
There are doubts about Brendon McCullum's ability to translate the glory of the White-Ball game test
The question now is whether McCullum can transpose the vibrations of the test to the white ball sand, and even if that approach can bring a lasting success against rapid upper class bowling or the cunning turn.
His comments after England lost third hate on Wednesday suggests that the Kool-Aid can already be reaching. “You know how I am,” he said. 'Always optimistic. If you go to the other side, you have no chance, right? I believe in us.
The Pedigrí de McCullum and the trace of the record demand, and in the last 10 years only Australia has won a bilateral series ODI in India. But regardless of his opponents, this was an unstable beginning. In favor of England there is the fact that the launches in Lahore and Karachi, where their three group games play, are probably flat, potentially adequately to their batters and accumulating a premium at the speed through the air, which its attack has in abundance .
But it is not clear if, at this time, they have the confidence to make these factors count.
The 3-0 Whitlwel in India, after a 4-1 defeat in the T20, means that they have lost more hate since the 2019 World Cup than they have won: 32 to 29.
Of the 29 victories, 10 have been against Ireland, the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
Against Australia, they have won three and lost nine. Against India, they have won two and lost eight.
The Liam Livingstone batter passed 13 only twice in eight entries against the Indians
It is not clear if Buttler is the captain to lead the team to calmer waters. After the disappointments of the England World Cup in India in 2023 and the Caribbean last summer, it was chief coach Matthew Mott who paid with his work.
Encouraged by McCullum, Buttler has done everything possible to cut a more cheerful character. But even he will know a burst in the Champions Trophy would resurrect the questions about his suitability for work.
He has not helped the things that Ben Duckett, who was constantly the best hitter in England in India, has injured his groin, or that Gus Atkinson, after a stellar first year in the trial cricket, went to more than 10 and Throughout the tour.
Other problems are also chasing England. Liam Livingstone passed 13 only twice in eight entries against the Indians, while the hopes of lower order races of Jamie Overton have fallen. The return of Tom Banton of 11 hours after an injury in Jacob Bethell summarizes the feeling that England will arrive in Pakistan putting a finger in the wind and waiting for the best.
The McCullum team can still surprise us all. But it has not been a type of preparation to launch an assault on a global trophy.