Cricket's Manchester United in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) is currently a declining power, no longer ranking among the top-tier teams.

England's One Day International (ODI) side has been grappling with a drought of major tournament victories since their triumph in the 2019 World Cup. The team's recent performance has raised questions about their aspirations to be among the leading contenders at the next World Cup.

The search for the next captain of the English ODI team is ongoing, with no definitive information available at this time. The team's bowling attack has been a concern, with the third seamer providing negligible impact and the fifth bowlers, Bethell and Jacks, sporting a combined economy rate of 8.93 runs per over.

This was evident in England's recent match against South Africa, where Bethell and Jacks conceded 112 runs in 10 overs, a more expensive spell than the most expensive 10-over spell in ODI cricket history. In contrast, Corbin Bosch's 10-over spell cost just 38 runs, while Brydon Carse leaked 68 runs in the same period.

The top-order batsmen, often referred to as England's power-packed seven, nearly won the game for England. However, their limitations with the ball were evident, with South Africa out-skilling England in the bowling department during the match.

The team's struggles are further highlighted by their win/loss ratio against 2023 World Cup participating teams, which is similar to that of the Netherlands. England has lost 17 out of 23 games against these teams since the 2023 World Cup, and a fall in two spots in the rankings would require them to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

Adil Rashid, the potent ODI spinner, has been a shining light in an otherwise challenging period for the team. His wizardry and the memory of past successes have not been enough to propel England into the top echelons of ODI cricket.

The absence of a world-class all-rounder like Ben Stokes has compounded England's bowling issues. Without Stokes, there is no easy fix, and the team will need to find innovative solutions to strengthen their bowling attack.

England's participation in the 2027 World Cup is not guaranteed, and the team will need to significantly improve their performance to secure a spot. The third and final England-South Africa ODI will be on the 2,247th day since England won the World Cup in 2019, a stark reminder of the team's current predicament.

The top 90 white-ball players in England are not regularly playing in the domestic 50-over competition, which could be another factor contributing to the team's struggles. This is a problem that the team's management will need to address if they are to turn their fortunes around.

In conclusion, England's ODI side is facing a challenging period, with their aspirations to be among the leading contenders at the next World Cup still in question. The team will need to address their bowling issues, improve their performance, and ensure their top players are regularly participating in the domestic 50-over competition if they are to secure a spot in the 2027 World Cup.

Cricket's Manchester United in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) is currently a declining power, no longer ranking among the top-tier teams.