Cricket World Cup: England’s defeat by Australia should be ‘slap in the face’

A stronger domestic set-up in England will help to more closely replicate the demands of international cricket, therefore ensuring players are better prepared when they step up.

However, the new structure, including more players on professional contracts, is only two years old and has so far been lived out entirely during the pandemic. It will take time – maybe another four or five years – for the England team to fully see the benefits.

In the short term, it feels likely that the England squad will see a reasonable amount of upheaval in the coming months and years.

No team at the World Cup had more players aged 30 or over than England’s seven. Even though the next 50-over tournament is only three years away, 36-year-old pace bowler Katherine Brunt will surely not be there and it seems unlikely her long-time new-ball partner Anya Shrubsole will make it either.

Replacements for openers Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt may have to be found, while Lauren Winfield-Hill and Georgia Elwiss, the latter possessing a central contract but not in the World Cup squad, seem set to be moved on.

There is a promising core to build on. It is scarcely believable that left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, the World Cup’s leading wicket-taker, is only 22. She could have the career of an all-time great, perhaps in tandem with off-spinner Charlie Dean, who is only 21. Beneath them, fellow spinners Mady Villiers and Sarah Glenn are in their early 20s.

At 23, Sophia Dunkley should become a bedrock of England’s batting, hopefully joined by Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier. Lauren Bell and Issy Wong are exciting fast-bowling prospects.

Will the prospect of shaping a new team entice Heather Knight, 31, to remain as captain?

After the final defeat, Knight doubled down on her decision to field first, despite seeing her team chase leather as Australia racked up 356-5.

It was undoubtedly a mistake, but Knight does not make many. Her level-headed leadership was a big factor in England turning their three opening defeats into a five-match winning run to the World Cup final.

The captaincy should be hers if she wants to keep it, with support continuing to come from all-rounder Nat Sciver, who, at 29, will still be at her peak at the 2025 World Cup.