The greater concern, perhaps, was that Rashid’s teammates could not make up for his absent threat. Both Reece Topley and Atkinson became too predictable bowling short – always a temptation given Cardiff’s dimensions – while Livingstone and Joe Root offered little venom.
And so the intrigue and speculation about England’s final World Cup 15 will continue. The absence of both Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, who were managing minor niggles, allowed Harry Brook to catapult into the side, opening the batting for the first time in his professional one-day career. While Brook flicked the first ball of the match for four, he found locating his rhythm tricky. But though his 25-ball 41 did not match his spectacular performances in recent weeks, he can now claim to be an option to bat anywhere in the top six, which could yet be an important consideration when England finalise their World Cup squad later this month.
“He’s a quality player, he can bat anywhere,” Buttler said of Brook. “It’s a great effort for him today, from not being in the squad at the start and now being called up for as injury cover and then parachuted in to open the batting.”
Brook’s reaction to being told he would open was characteristic, Buttler said: “Pretty much how he reacts to most things. Just: ‘Great, thanks very much’.”
Yet, for all the excitement about seeing Brook take first strike, most of England’s aggression against the new ball came from Dawid Malan. Driving powerfully as New Zealand sought to extract new-ball movement, Malan’s 54 matched his ODI average. The mere fact that his place in the squad remains a matter of discussion is a testament to England’s abundance of options.
But by the end of Buttler’s 33rd birthday, New Zealand had highlighted the challenge for his side if they are to match the class of 2019.
