Adil Rashid’s exile cost England but they can right tactical wrongs in Australia | Taha Hashim

The leg-spinner’s absence in the final three games of their tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka was puzzling but there’s no need to panic just yet In the end, the beginning was just a little too perfect. When Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball of England’s tour, the rhythm appeared set. They intended to make it four ODI series wins in a row.

Sri Lanka had been beaten home and away this year; Pakistan had been embarrassed with the Dukes ball in the summer. Harry Brook’s side were surely heading to the final, right? Alas, he won’t be anywhere near the snappily named KFC Presents Bank Alfalah ODI Tri-Series trophy on Saturday. On two occasions England moved into positions from which games seemed unlosable, yet this thoroughly watchable tri-series refused to turn their way. In making 429 against Sri Lanka, England simply followed their usual formula: thrash their way to a gargantuan total and let scoreboard…