Bad day at the office for England yesterday. It can happen in limited overs cricket but there are, as often, some matters arising in respect of the strategy of England's management.
First, the wicket keeper. Notwithstanding his strong batting, Buttler is, by international standards, a poor keeper. Smith, on the other hand, showed signs that he might become quite decent with the gloves during the India Test series. What he lacks is experience. So, whatever colour the ball might be, why don't you give the bloke you are trying to develop (who is already better than the alternative) a chance to learn a bit more? Why go with yesterday's man?
Then second, I don't mind them having a look at Sonny Baker, who is promising. But was it wise to pitch him in with a captain who is a batter and nobody amongst the bowlers who could mentor him when things started to go wrong? The choices might be limited with Woakes injured and Stokes avoiding 50 over games but maybe in that case you hold Baker back until a wise old head is available.
Neither of these points would have made any difference to yesterday's result, of course. They just add to my worries about England's ability to think strategically.