How Woakes became England’s unlikely star in West Indies
England’s resurgence in the one-day format in the past two years has been astonishing but the identity of the most improved all-round player in that time may not be immediately apparent.
It is two years to the day since England embarrassingly exited the 2015 World Cup at the group stage, prompting captain Eoin Morgan to revolutionise their approach.
Their batting, in particular, has gone up several levels and eight of their 10 highest scores of all-time in the 50-over format have come since their elimination in Australia and New Zealand was confirmed.
It should therefore be no surprise that the likes of Joe Root, Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and the pioneering Morgan himself have sharply increased their averages and strike rate.
Looking at figures from March 14, 2015 onwards - the day after that World Cup exit - England’s first-choice top six of Jason Roy, Hales, Root, Morgan, Ben Stokes and Buttler average at least 40 with Root topping the charts with 61.68, auguring well for the forthcoming Champions Trophy. But only one man has polished all facets of his game. It is not Stokes, who among the established batsmen has enhanced his figures the most, with his batting average climbing from 15.66 before Australia and New Zealand to 40.08 over the last two years.
Stokes’ strike-rate has also shot up, going from 75.80 to 107.96 - an incredible differential of 32.16.
However, while there has been a slight improvement in his economy rate, the Durham all-rounder, controversially left out of the World Cup squad two years ago, has conceded four runs more per wicket.
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