Following a series of defeats, Moeen Ali, the oldest member of England’s World Cup squad, acknowledged the finality of their loss to Australia, marking their fifth consecutive defeat and sixth in seven games.

This disappointing title defense is likely to trigger a significant reconfiguration of England’s ODI lineup. The team that suffered a 33-run defeat in Ahmedabad included eight members from their triumphant 2019 squad. The exceptions were 36-year-old Dawid Malan, the retiring David Willey, and Liam Livingstone, who has struggled with a batting average of 10 in the World Cup.

In contrast to eight years ago, when England’s early exit from the 2015 World Cup prompted a complete overhaul of their limited-overs approach, there is a wealth of untapped talent awaiting their chance. The challenge lies in the fact that 11 of the 15 players at this tournament are only a month into multi-year contracts, making a complete overhaul potentially complex.

Interestingly, England’s schedule may work in their favor this time. They had already planned to field a second-string ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies, with their focus turning towards the T20 World Cup next June. They have a nine-month hiatus from ODIs before they face Australia in late September 2024.

However, critical questions remain. Will they entrust Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott with the task of defending the T20 title they secured as captain and coach in Australia last year? And if so, how will they infuse new energy into the squad to avoid a repeat of the slow-motion disappointment witnessed over the past month in India?

Ben Stokes will undergo knee surgery upon his return home and did not confirm his availability for the T20 World Cup when asked on Friday. Jonny Bairstow has struggled to find form across white-ball cricket in recent months, and Malan’s T20 performance has seen a dip.

Moeen, operating on a one-year central contract, intends to engage with England’s coach and captain at the conclusion of this World Cup to discuss his future. Despite being the vice-captain in white-ball cricket, he has only featured in four matches in this World Cup, going without a wicket in 24.2 overs. Even after his composed 42 against Australia, he has amassed only 83 runs.

He will face the challenge of making tough decisions regarding players’ futures. Moeen conceded that if he were in Key’s position, he would contemplate a fresh start.

Moeen anticipates that the core of the T20 side will largely remain intact for next year’s World Cup. However, regarding the ODI setup, he asserted, “If I were in charge, I’d give the younger guys a chance. I’d opt for a fresh start, and I’m confident they will do just that. It’s a matter of common sense. We need that fearless approach once more, and now is the perfect time to embark on a new beginning.”