Marcus Trescothick urges more domestic 50-over games to boost England’s ODI standards

In the midst of England’s ODI series struggles, interim coach Marcus Trescothick has expressed concern that the current domestic structure isn't supporting the development of England's new white-ball players. With the One-Day Cup clashing with the Hundred, England’s top white-ball players lack access to domestic 50-over games, leaving young players with limited experience in the format.

Following a tough series in the Caribbean, where England's inexperienced side faced its third ODI series defeat since the 2023 World Cup, Trescothick emphasized the challenges posed by the limited opportunities in List A cricket. He explained, “It’s not helping because you’re not getting the volume of games to build an understanding of the game.”

The recent squad, short on experience due to Test commitments, featured players like Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley, who had barely played 50-over cricket prior to this series. Phil Salt, one of the more established players, also voiced his concerns, saying, “I’d love the opportunity to play in a domestic 50-over competition. The more chances I get to play it, the better I will be at it.”

While Trescothick acknowledged that the structure favors the popular Hundred and T20 competitions, he hinted that balancing priorities might be necessary to ensure England can compete at the highest ODI level. However, he noted that such changes are for decision-makers to figure out.

In addition to the structure issues, Trescothick shared a positive update on Jofra Archer, who completed the series without any injury concerns. Archer, having played seven of England’s last eight ODIs, has shown good recovery as he prepares for England's upcoming Test series and next year’s away Ashes series. “He’s gone really well. We’re really pleased with the progress,” Trescothick added, as England looks to manage Archer’s return carefully.