England cricket team

{{Short description|Men's national cricket team}} {{about|the men's team|the women's team|England women's cricket team}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox cricket team | name = England | image = 125px|class=skin-invert | caption = | association = England and Wales Cricket Board | test_captain = Ben Stokes | od_captain = Harry Brook | t20i_captain = Harry Brook | coach = Brendon McCullum

| test_status_year = {{Start date and age|1877}}

| icc_status = Full Membership | icc_member_year = {{Start date and age|1909}} | icc_region = Europe

| test_rank = 3rd | odi_rank = 8th | t20i_rank = 2nd | test_rank_best = 1st (1 June 1955)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/match_zone/test_ranking.php?year=1955|title=1955 Test Rankings|work=ICC|date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320090951/http://www.icc-cricket.com/match_zone/test_ranking.php?year=1955#JUNE|archive-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> | odi_rank_best = 1st (1 January 1981)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/match_zone/odi_ranking.php?year=1981|title=1981 ODI Rankings|work=ICC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320093214/http://www.icc-cricket.com/match_zone/odi_ranking.php?year=1981|archive-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> | t20i_rank_best = 1st (24 October 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/team_ranking.php|title=Reliance ICC Rankings – ICC Team Rankings, ICC Test Rankings, ICC ODI Rankings |publisher=Icc-cricket.yahoo.net|date=24 October 2011|access-date=2 March 2025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923151159/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/team_ranking.php|archive-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

| first_test = v. {{cr|AUS}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; 15–19 March 1877 | most_recent_test = v. {{cr|AUS}} at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney; 4–8 January 2026 | num_tests = 1,094 | num_tests_this_year = 1 | test_record = 404/334 (356 draws) | test_record_this_year = 0/1 (0 draws)

| wtc_apps = 3 | wtc_first = 2021 | wtc_best = Fourth place (2021, 2023)

| first_odi = v. {{cr|AUS}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; 5 January 1971 | most_recent_odi = v. {{cr|SL}} at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo; 27 January 2026 | num_odis = 823 | num_odis_this_year = 3 | odi_record = 409/374 (9 ties, 31 no results) | odi_record_this_year = 2/1 (0 ties, 0 no results)

| wc_apps = 13 | wc_first = 1975 | wc_best = Champions (2019)

| first_t20i = v. {{cr|AUS}} at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton; 13 June 2005 | most_recent_t20i = v. {{cr|IND}} at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai; 5 March 2026 | num_t20is = 225 | num_t20is_this_year = 11 | t20i_record = 121/92 (2 ties, 10 no results) | t20i_record_this_year = 9/2 (0 ties, 0 no results)

| wt20_apps = 10 | wt20_first = 2007 | wt20_best = Champions (2010, 2022)

| asofdate = 5 March 2026 }} The '''England men's cricket team''' represents England and Wales in international cricket. Since 1997, it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club (the MCC) since 1903.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/about-us/about-the-ecb |title=About the ECB |publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525164144/https://www.ecb.co.uk/about-us/about-the-ecb |archive-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lords.org/history/mcc-history/|title=MCC History|publisher=MCC|access-date=7 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218202927/http://www.lords.org/history/mcc-history|archive-date=18 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> England and Wales, as founding nations, are a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test, One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) status. Until the 1990s, Scottish and Irish players also played for England as those countries were not yet ICC members in their own right.

England and Australia were the first teams to play a Test match (15–19 March 1877), and along with South Africa, these nations formed the Imperial Cricket Conference (the predecessor to today's International Cricket Council) on 15 June 1909. England and Australia also played the first ODI on 5 January 1971. England's first T20I was played on 13 June 2005, once more against Australia.

{{As of|2026|3|5}}, England have played 1,094 Test matches, winning 404 and losing 334 (with 356 draws).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Team records {{!}} Results summary |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|access-date=8 July 2025|website=Cricinfo}}</ref> In the Test series against Australia, England play for The Ashes, one of the most famous trophies in all of sport, and they have won the urn on 32 occasions. England have also played 823 ODIs, winning 409.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html |title=Records / One-Day Internationals / Result summary |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224020144/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html |archive-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have appeared in the final of the Cricket World Cup four times (1979, 1987, 1992), winning their first in 2019; they have also finished as runners-up in two ICC Champions Trophies (2004 and 2013). England have played 225 T20Is, winning 122.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283307.html |title=Records / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 February 2020 }}</ref> They won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2022, and were runners-up in 2016.

{{As of|2026|4}}, England are ranked third in Tests, eighth in ODIs and second in T20Is by the ICC.<ref name="ICC Rankings"/>

==History== {{Main|History of the England cricket team to 1939|History of the England cricket team from 1945}}

thumb|The All-England Eleven in 1846

The first recorded incidence of a team with a claim to represent England comes from 9 July 1739 when an "All-England" team, which consisted of 11 gentlemen from any part of England exclusive of Kent, played against "the Unconquerable County" of Kent and lost by a margin of "very few notches".<ref>Waghorn, pp.22–23.</ref> Such matches were repeated on numerous occasions for the best part of a century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/50373/50373-h/50373-h.htm|title=TOSSING FOR INNINGS. CRICKET EDITED BY HORACE G. HUTCHINSON}}</ref>

In 1846 William Clarke formed the All-England Eleven. This team eventually competed against a United All-England Eleven with annual matches occurring between 1847 and 1856.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/team/all-england-eleven-787|title=All England Eleven Cricket Team}}</ref> These matches were arguably the most important contest of the English season if judged by the quality of the players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/cricket-sport|title=cricket ''Britannica.com''}}</ref>

===Early tours=== left|thumb|The 1859 English team in North America

The first overseas tour occurred in September 1859 with England touring North America. This team had six players from the All-England Eleven, six from the United All-England Eleven and was captained by George Parr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreamcricket.com/articles/history-of-american-cricket/150th-anniversary-of-the-first-english-cricket-tour-of-north-america/|title=150th anniversary of the first English cricket tour of North America|date=17 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/11/cricket-tour-1859-north-america|title=One tour to start them all: how English cricketers blazed a trail 150 years ago|work=The Guardian |date=11 November 2009 |last1=Keating |first1=Frank }}</ref>

With the outbreak of the American Civil War, attention turned elsewhere. English tourists visited Australia in 1861–62 with this first tour organised as a commercial venture by Messrs Spiers and Pond, restaurateurs of Melbourne. Most matches played during tours prior to 1877 were "against odds", with the opposing team fielding more than 11 players to make for a more even contest.<ref name="content-uk.cricinfo.com">{{cite web |date=19 September 2006 |title=England v Australia 1864 – 1888 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-v-australia-1861-1888-259952 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106154837/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/story/259952.html |archive-date=6 January 2009 |access-date=5 February 2008 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This first Australian tour was mostly against odds of at least 18/11.

right|thumb|The first England team to tour southern Australia in 1861–62

The tour was so successful that Parr led a second tour in 1863–64. James Lillywhite led a subsequent England team which sailed on the P&O steamship ''Poonah'' on 21 September 1876. They played a combined Australian XI, for once on even terms of 11-a-side. The match, starting on 15 March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground came to be regarded as the inaugural Test match. The combined Australian XI won this Test match by 45 runs with Charles Bannerman of Australia scoring the first Test century. At the time, the match was promoted as ''James Lillywhite's XI v Combined Victoria and New South Wales''.<ref name="content-uk.cricinfo.com"/> The teams played a return match on the same ground at Easter, 1877, when Lillywhite's team avenged their loss with a victory by four wickets. The first Test match on English soil occurred in 1880 with England victorious; this was the first time England fielded a fully representative team with W. G. Grace included in the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154315.html|title=Australia in England 1880|publisher=Wisden|access-date=5 February 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708035234/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154315.html|archive-date=8 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1880s=== [[File:DeathofEnglishCricket.jpg|250px|thumb|The death notice printed on ''The Sporting Times'' newspaper which first named the Ashes]]

England lost their first home series 1–0 in 1882, with ''The Sporting Times'' printing an obituary on English cricket:

{{blockquote|<div class{{=}}"center">In Affectionate Remembrance OF <big>''ENGLISH CRICKET'',</big> WHICH DIED AT THE OVAL ON <big>29 August 1882,</big> Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. <big>R. I. P.</big> ''N.B.—The body will be cremated and the'' ''ashes taken to Australia.''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23070-471469,00.html |title=The Ashes in The Times |work=The Times |date=6 November 2002 |access-date=5 February 2008 |location=London |first=Marcus |last=Williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210145936/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23070-471469,00.html |archive-date=10 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref></div>}}

As a result of this loss, the tour of 1882–83 was dubbed by England captain Ivo Bligh as "the quest to regain the ashes". England, with a mixture of amateurs and professionals, won the series 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketcrowd.com/displayvideo.html?ccvideo=2583&ccdesc=The+Ashes+story%3A+How+it+all+began|title=The Ashes Story: How it all began}}</ref><ref name="Wisden">{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154318.html|title=England in Australia, 1882–83|publisher=Wisden|access-date=5 February 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119192012/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154318.html|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Bligh was presented with an urn that contained some ashes, which have variously been said to be of a bail, ball or even a woman's veil, and so The Ashes was born. A fourth match was then played which Australia won by four wickets. However, the match was not considered part of the Ashes series.<ref name="Wisden"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/62408.html|title=Australia v England|publisher=Wisden|access-date=5 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107004403/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/62408.html|archive-date=7 January 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> England dominated many of these early contests, with England winning the Ashes series 10 times between 1884 and 1898.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;opposition=2;spanmax1=31+Dec+1899;spanmax2=31+Dec+1898;spanmin1=1+Jan+1884;spanmin2=1+Jan+1884;spanval1=span;spanval2=span;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=series|title=Test matches|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=5 February 2008}}</ref> During this period England also played their first Test match against South Africa in 1889 at Port Elizabeth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/62426.html|title=South Africa v England|publisher=Wisden|access-date=5 February 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710090015/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/62426.html|archive-date=10 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1890s=== England won the 1890 Ashes series 2–0, with the third match of the series being the first Test match to be abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1890-60274|title=The Ashes 1890}}</ref> England lost 2–1 in the 1891–92 series, although England regained the urn the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1891-92-60275|title=The Ashes 1891/92}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1893-60277|title=The Ashes 1893}}</ref> England again won the 1894–95 series, winning 3–2 under the leadership of Andrew Stoddart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/stuart-wark-england-s-1894-scg-miracle-909033|title=England's 1894 SCG miracle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1894-95-60278|title=The Ashes 1894/95}}</ref> In 1895–96, England played South Africa, winning all Tests in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-south-africa-1895-96-61685|title=England tour of South Africa 1895/96}}</ref> The 1899 Ashes series was the first tour where the MCC and the counties appointed a selection committee. There were three active players: Grace, Lord Hawke and Warwickshire captain Herbert Bainbridge. Prior to this, England teams for home Tests had been chosen by the club on whose ground the match was to be played. England lost the 1899 Ashes series 1–0, with Grace making his final Test appearance in the first match of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1899-60283|title=The Ashes 1899}}</ref>

===1900s=== thumb|left|The Adelaide Oval, second day of the third test between Australia and England, 20 January 1902. Australia won by 4 wickets. The start of the 20th century saw mixed results for England as they lost four of the eight Ashes series between 1900 and 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;opposition=2;orderby=start;spanmax1=31+Dec+1914;spanmin1=1+Jan+1900;spanval1=span;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=series |title=Test matches |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=5 February 2008 }}</ref> During this period, England lost their first series against South Africa in the 1905–06 season 4–1 as their batting faltered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;opposition=3;orderby=start;spanmax1=24+Jan+1911;spanval1=span;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=series|title=Test matches|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=5 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-south-africa-1905-06-61692|title=England tour of South Africa}}</ref>

England lost their first series of the new century to Australia in 1901–02 Ashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1901-02-60284|title=The Ashes 1901/02}}</ref> Australia also won the 1902 series, which was memorable for exciting cricket, including Gilbert Jessop scoring a Test century in just 70 minutes. England regained the Ashes in 1904 under the captaincy of Pelham Warner. R. E. Foster scored 287 on his debut and Wilfred Rhodes took 15 wickets in a match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1903-04-60287|title= The 1904 Ashes}}</ref> In 1905–06, England lost 4–1 against South Africa. England avenged the defeat in 1907, when they won the series 1–0 under the captaincy of Foster. However, they lost the 1909 Ashes series against Australia, using 25 players in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1909-60292|title=The Ashes 1909}}</ref> England also lost to South Africa, with Jack Hobbs scoring his first of 15 centuries on the tour.

===1910s=== England toured Australia in 1911–12 and beat their opponents 4–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1911-12-60295|title=The Ashes 1911/12}}</ref> The team included the likes of Rhodes, Hobbs, Frank Woolley and Sydney Barnes. England lost the first match of the series but bounced back and won the next four Tests. This proved to be the last Ashes series before the war.

The 1912 season saw England take part in a unique experiment. A nine-Test triangular tournament involving England, South Africa and Australia was set up. The series was hampered by a very wet summer and player disputes however and the tournament was considered a failure with the ''Daily Telegraph'' stating:<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2006 |title=England v Australia 1890 – 1914 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-v-australia-1890-1914-260677 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008035811/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/story/260677.html |archive-date=8 October 2008 |access-date=5 February 2008 |website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Nine Tests provide a surfeit of cricket, and contests between Australia and South Africa are not a great attraction to the British public.}}

With Australia sending a weakened team and the South African bowlers being ineffective England dominated the tournament winning four of their six matches. The match between Australia and South Africa at Lord's was visited by King George V, the first time a reigning monarch had watched Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237048.html|title=Australia v South Africa|publisher=Wisden|access-date=5 February 2008|date=14 February 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709172943/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237048.html|archive-date=9 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> England went on one more tour before the outbreak of the First World War, beating South Africa 4–0, with Barnes taking 49 wickets in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-south-africa-1913-14-61684|title=England tour of South Africa 1913/14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rob-steen-on-sydney-barnes-697977|title=Fiery Syd}}</ref>

===1920s=== [[File:StateLibQld 1 233112 English cricket team at the test match held in Brisbane, 1928.jpg|right|thumb|English cricket team at the Test match at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in 1928. England won by a record margin of 675 runs.]]

England's first match after the war was in the 1920–21 season against Australia. Still feeling the effects of the war England went down to a series of crushing defeats and suffered their first whitewash losing the series 5–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1920-21-60301|title=1920–21 Ashes}}</ref> Six Australians scored hundreds while Mailey spun out 36 English batsmen. Things were no better in the next few Ashes series losing the 1921 Ashes series 3–0 and the 1924–25 Ashes 4–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1921-60302|title=The Ashes 1921}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1924-25-60306|title=The Ashes 1924/25}}</ref> England's fortunes were to change in 1926 as they regained the Ashes and were a formidable team during this period dispatching Australia 4–1 in the 1928–29 Ashes tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1926-60307|title=The Ashes 1926}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1928-29-60310|title=The Ashes 1928–29}}</ref>

In the same year the West Indies became the fourth nation to be granted Test status and played their first game against England. England won each of these three Tests by an innings, and a view was expressed in the press that their elevation had proved a mistake although Learie Constantine did the double on the tour. In the 1929–30 season England went on two concurrent tours with one team going to New Zealand (who were granted Test status earlier that year) and the other to the West Indies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-to-1930-when-england-played-two-tests-in-a-day-714423|title=Playing two Tests in a day}}</ref> Despite sending two separate teams England won against New Zealand 1–0 and drawn with the West Indies 1–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/149452.html |title=Quick, quick Snow |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=14 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="CATI">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_West_Indies_1929-30.html |publisher=CricketArchive |title=England in the West Indies 1929–30 |access-date=20 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://test-cricket-tours.co.uk/page_3116506.html| title = England to New Zealand 1929–30| publisher = Test Cricket Tours| access-date = 31 August 2017| archive-date = 27 August 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170827210919/http://test-cricket-tours.co.uk/page_3116506.html| url-status = dead}}</ref>

===1930s=== [[File:4th Test Woodfull.jpg|left|thumb|Bill Woodfull evades a Bodyline ball during the English cricket team tour in Australia in 1932–33. Note the number of leg-side fielders.]]

The 1930 Ashes series saw a young Don Bradman dominate the tour, scoring 974 runs in his seven Test innings. He scored 254 at Lord's, 334 at Headingley and 232 at The Oval. Australia regained the Ashes winning the series 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1930-60314|title=The Ashes 1930}}</ref> As a result of Bradman's prolific run-scoring the England captain Douglas Jardine chose to develop the already existing leg theory into fast leg theory, or bodyline, as a tactic to stop Bradman. Fast leg theory involved bowling fast balls directly at the batsman's body. The batsman would need to defend himself, and if he touched the ball with the bat, he risked being caught by one of a large number of fielders placed on the leg side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/bodyline-cricket-series-1932-33#:~:text=Bodyline%20was%20an%20aggressive%20fast,way%20as%20fast%20as%20possible.|title=Bodyline cricket series, 1932–33|date=29 October 2015 }}</ref>

Using Jardine's fast leg theory, England won the next Ashes series 4–1, but complaints about the Bodyline tactic caused crowd disruption on the tour, and threats of diplomatic action from the Australian Cricket Board, which during the tour sent the following cable to the MCC in London:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/07/1075854114533.html |title=It just wasn't cricket |work=The Sun-Herald |access-date=4 December 2006 |date=8 February 2004}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Bodyline bowling assumed such proportions as to menace best interests of game, making protection of body by batsmen the main consideration. Causing intensely bitter feeling between players as well as injury. In our opinion is unsportsmanlike. Unless stopped at once likely to upset friendly relations existing between Australia and England.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-21013615|title=Bodyline: 80 years of cricket's greatest controversy|work=BBC News |date=14 January 2013 }}</ref>}}

Later, Jardine was removed from the captaincy and the Laws of Cricket changed so that no more than one fast ball aimed at the body was permitted per over, and having more than two fielders behind square leg was banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/why-the-1932-33-bodyline-series-became-crickets-darkest-chapter/articleshow/113434312.cms#:~:text=Despite%20winning%20the%20series%204,infamous%20episodes%20in%20cricket%20history.|title=Why the 1932–33 'Bodyline' series became cricket's darkest chapter|work=The Times of India |date=17 September 2024 }}</ref>

England's following tour of India in the 1933–34 season was the first Test match to be staged in the subcontinent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/when-test-cricket-came-to-india-245528|title=When Test cricket came to India}}</ref> The series was also notable for Stan Nichols and Nobby Clark bowling so many bouncers that the Indian batsman wore solar toupées instead of caps to protect themselves.<ref name=RG194>{{cite book |last=Guha |first=Ramachandra |author-link=Ramachandra Guha |title=A Corner of a Foreign Field – The Indian History of a British Sport |page=194 |year=2002 |publisher=Picador |location=London |isbn=0-330-49117-2}}</ref> Australia won the 1934 Ashes series 2–1 and kept the urn for the following 19 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1934-60325|title=The Ashes 1934}}</ref>

England drew the 1938 Ashes, meaning Australia retained the urn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1938-60332|title=The Ashes 1938}}</ref> England went into the final match of the series at The Oval 1–0 down, but won the final game by an innings and 579 runs. Len Hutton made the highest ever Test score by an Englishman, making 364 in England first innings to help them reach 903, their highest ever score against Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-the-oval-grind-of-1938-901415|title=The Oval grind of 1938}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/nostalgia/when-len-hutton-eclipsed-don-bradman-with-record-knock-at-the-oval-3066570|title=When Len Hutton eclipsed Don Bradman with record knock at The Oval|date=14 December 2020 }}</ref>

The 1938–39 tour of South Africa saw another experiment with the deciding Test being a timeless Test that was played to a finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-south-africa-1938-39-61688/south-africa-vs-england-5th-test-62657/full-scorecard|title=5th test durban, March 1939, England tour of South Africa}}</ref> England lead 1–0 going into the final timeless match at Durban. Despite the final Test being 'timeless', the game ended in a draw after 10 days as England had to catch the train to catch the boat home. A record 1,981 runs were scored, and the concept of timeless Tests was abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/22/the-spin-cricket-the-timeless-test-1939|title=The Test match that went on and on and on. Without a winner but with meaning|work=The Guardian |date=22 December 2015 |last1=Bull |first1=Andy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/calling-time-on-eternity-395117|title=Calling time on eternity}}</ref> England hosted the West Indies in 1939 before the Second World War, although a team for an MCC tour of India was selected more in hope than expectation of the matches being played.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-to-1939-the-tour-that-never-was-537461|title=The tour that never was}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-west-indian-team-in-england-1939-155218|title=The West Indian team in England 1939}}</ref>

===1940s=== Test cricket resumed after the war in 1946, and England won their first match back against India. However, they struggled in the 1946–47 Ashes series, losing 3–0 in Australia under Wally Hammond's captaincy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1946-47-60337|title=The Ashes 1946/47}}</ref> England beat South Africa 3–0 in 1947 with Denis Compton scoring 1,187 runs in the series.

The 1947–48 series against the West Indies was another disappointment for England, with the team losing 2–0 following injuries to several key players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-in-west-indies-test-series-1947-48-60341|title=England tour of West Indies 1947–48}}</ref> England suffered further humiliation against Bradman's invincible team in the 1948 Ashes series. Hutton was controversially dropped for the third Test, and England were bowled out for just 52 at The Oval.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-england-1948-61329/england-vs-australia-5th-test-62689/full-scorecard|title=5th test, The Oval 1948 Australia tour of England}}</ref> The series proved to be Bradman's final Ashes series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricmash.com/flashes-to-remember/ashes-1948-the-dons-final-innings|title=Ashes 1948: The Don's final innings|date=14 August 2019 }}</ref>

In 1948–49, England beat South Africa 2–0 under the captaincy of George Mann. The series included a record breaking stand of 359 between Hutton and Cyril Washbrook.<ref>[http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283611.html Test matches – Highest partnership for the first wicket]. Stats.cricinfo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.</ref><ref>[http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=1;id=1;type=team Test matches – Highest partnerships by wicket for England]. Stats.cricinfo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.</ref> The decade ended with England drawing the Test series against New Zealand, with every match ending in a draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-england-1949-62068|title=New Zealand tour of England 1949}}</ref>

===1950s===

On 29 June 1950 England lost to the West Indies for the first time, with this being followed by a 3–1 series loss when they lost at ''The Oval'' on 16 August 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-england-1950-61876|title=West Indies tour of England 1950}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ramadhin-and-valentine-little-friends-of-mine-140863|title=Ramadhin and Valentine – little friends of mine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/365667/those-two-little-tormentors-of-mine|title=Those two little tormentors of mine}}</ref>

[[File:JohnsontoHutton.JPG|thumb|left|Len Hutton batting during the 5th Test Match of the 1950–51 Ashes series played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ian Johnson is bowling]] Their fortunes against Australia changed on the 1953 Ashes tour as they won the series 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1953-60359|title=The Ashes 1953}}</ref> England did not lose a series between their 1950–51 and 1958–59 tours of Australia and secured famous victory in 1954–55 under the captaincy of Len Hutton, thanks to Frank Tyson whose 6/85 at Sydney and 7/27 at Melbourne are remembered as the fastest bowling ever seen in Australia. The 1956 series was remembered for the bowling of Jim Laker who took 46 wickets at an average of 9.62, including figures of 19/90 at Old Trafford. After drawing to South Africa, England defeated the West Indies and New Zealand comfortably.

The England team then left for Australia in the 1958–59 season with a team that had been hailed as the strongest ever to leave on an Ashes tour but lost the series 4–0 as Richie Benaud's revitalised Australians were too strong, with England struggling with the bat throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1958-59-60380|title=The Ashes 1958/59}}</ref>

On 24 August 1959, England inflicted its only 5–0 whitewash over India. All out for 194 at The Oval, India lost the last test by an innings. England's batsman Ken Barrington and Colin Cowdrey both had an excellent series with the bat, with Barrington scoring 357 runs across the series and Cowdrey scoring 344.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstats.com.au/zArchive/1950s/1959EI/1959EIcov.pdf|title=India in England 1959. England won 5–0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1959-62279/england-vs-india-5th-test-62864/full-scorecard|title=England vs India, 5th Test at London, Aug 20 1959 – Full Scorecard}}</ref>

===1960s=== The early and middle 1960s were poor periods for English cricket. Despite England's strength on paper, Australia held the Ashes and the West Indies dominated England in the early part of the decade. May stood down as captain in 1961 following the 1961 Ashes defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1961-60390|title=The Ashes 1961}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/657117/benaud-s-manchester-miracle|title=Benaud's Manchester miracle}}</ref>

Ted Dexter succeeded him as captain but England continued to suffer indifferent results. In 1961–62, they beat Pakistan, but also lost to India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-pakistan-1961-62-61762|title=England tour of Pakistan 1961/62}}</ref> The following year saw England and Australia tie the 1962–63 Ashes series 1–1, meaning Australia retained the urn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1962-63-60396|title=The Ashes 1962/63}}</ref> Despite beating New Zealand 3–0, England went on to lose to the West Indies, and again failed in the 1964 Ashes, losing the home series 1–0, which marked the end of Dexter's captaincy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1964-60402|title=The 1964 Ashes}}</ref>

However, from 1968 to 1971 they played 27 consecutive Test matches without defeat, winning 9 and drawing 18 (including the abandoned Test at Melbourne in 1970–71). The sequence began when they drew with Australia at Lord's in the Second Test of the 1968 Ashes series and ended in 1971 when India won the Third Test at The Oval by four wickets. They played 13 Tests with only one defeat immediately beforehand and so played a total of 40 consecutive Tests with only one defeat, dating from their innings victory over the West Indies at The Oval in 1966. During this period they beat New Zealand, India, the West Indies, and Pakistan, and under Ray Illingworth's leadership, regained The Ashes from Australia in 1970–71.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1970-71-60433|title=1970/71 Ashes}}</ref>

===1970s=== [[File:Ian Botham batting vs NZ - February 1978.jpg|thumb|right|Ian Botham batting against New Zealand during a test match in February 1978 at Basin Reserve]] The 1970s, for the England team, can be largely split into three parts. Early in the decade, Illingworth's team dominated world cricket, winning the Ashes away in 1971<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/my-life-through-the-ashes-from-deadly-derek-through-warnie-to-stokes-boys-1381073|title=My life through the Ashes: from Deadly Derek to Warnie to Stokes' boys}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1970-71-60433|title=The Ashes 1970/71}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ray-illingworth-people-don-t-realise-how-hard-it-is-to-win-in-australia-492997|title='People don't realise how hard it is to win in Australia'}}</ref> and then retaining them at home in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1972-60439|title=The Ashes 1972}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-the-fungus-that-floored-the-aussies-901241|title=The fungus that floored the Aussies}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/871281/captain-hook|title=Captain Hook}}</ref> The same team beat Pakistan at home in 1971 and played by far the better cricket against India that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-england-1971-61463|title=Pakistan tour of England 1971}}</ref> However, England were largely helped by the rain to sneak the Pakistan series 1–0 but the same rain saved India twice and one England collapse saw them lose to India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1971-62286|title=India tour of England 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sunil-gavaskar-on-his-57-at-old-trafford-in-1971-766991|title=Sunny's little gem}}</ref> This was, however, one of (if not the) strongest England team ever with the likes of Illingworth, Geoffrey Boycott, John Edrich, Basil D'Oliveira, Dennis Amiss, Alan Knott, John Snow and Derek Underwood at its core.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/first-love-112304|title=First love}}</ref>

The mid-1970s were more turbulent. Illingworth and several others had refused to tour India in 1972–73 which led to a clamour for Illingworth's job by the end of that summer – England had just been beaten 2–0 by a flamboyant West Indies team – with several England players well over 35. Mike Denness was the surprising choice but only lasted 18 months; his results against poor opposition were good, but England were badly exposed as ageing and lacking in good fast bowling against the 1974–75 Australians, losing that series 4–1 to lose the Ashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1974-75-60453|title=The Ashes 1974/75}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1008601/call-in-colin|title=Call in Colin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-when-jeff-thomson-and-dennis-lillee-blew-england-away-788525|title=Shell-shocked and bloodied}}</ref>

Denness was replaced in 1975 by Tony Greig. While he managed to avoid losing to Australia, his team were largely thrashed the following year by the young and very much upcoming West Indies for whom Greig's infamous "grovel" remark acted as motivation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/who-s-grovelling-now-134960|title=Who's grovelling now?}}</ref> Greig's finest hour as England's captain was the 1976–77 win over India in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/nov/11/england-india-1976-1977-tour|title=How England managed to emerge victorious on the 1976–77 tour to India|work=The Guardian |date=11 November 2012 |last1=Selvey |first1=Mike }}</ref> When Greig was discovered as being instrumental in World Series Cricket, he was sacked, and replaced by Mike Brearley.

Brearley's team showed again the hyperbole that is often spoken when one team dominates in cricket. While his team of 1977–80 contained some young players who went on to become England greats, most notably future captains Ian Botham, David Gower and Graham Gooch, their opponents were often very much weakened by the absence of their World Series players, especially in 1978, when England drew New Zealand 1–1 and Pakistan 2–0 before thrashing what was effectively Australia's 2nd XI 5–1 in 1978–79.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1978-79-60476|title=The Ashes 1978/79}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-england-1978-61457|title=Pakistan tour of England 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-new-zealand-1977-78-61774|title=England tour of New Zealand 1977/78}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-to-1978-botham-to-boycott-i-ve-run-you-out-you-604169|title='I've run you out, you ****'}}</ref>

===1980s=== thumb|left|Terry Alderman bowling to David Gower during the 1981 Ashes test at Trent Bridge The England team, with Brearley's exit in 1980, was never truly settled throughout the 1980s, which will probably be remembered as a low point for the team. While some of the great players like Botham, Gooch and Gower had fine careers, the team seldom succeeded in beating good opposition throughout the decade and did not score a home Test victory (except against minnows Sri Lanka) between September 1985 and July 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1985-1985/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1985 in Tests – England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1986-1986/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1986 in Tests – England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1987-1987/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1987 in Tests – England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1988-1988/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1988 in Tests – England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1989-1989/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1989 in Tests – England}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/team-match-results/1990-1990/test-matches-1?team=1|title=Match results in 1990 in Tests – England}}</ref>

Botham took over the captaincy in 1980 and they put up a good fight against the West Indies, losing a five match Test series 1–0, although England were humbled in the return series. After scoring a pair in the first Test against Australia, Botham lost the captaincy due to his poor form, and was replaced by Brearley. Botham returned to form and played exceptionally in the remainder of the series, being named man of the match in the third, fourth and fifth Tests. The series became known as Botham's Ashes as England recorded a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/02/ian-botham-ashes-1981-mike-brearley|title='Ian Botham's Ashes': The myths, the legends and me|work=The Guardian |date=2 July 2011 |last1=Brearley |first1=Mike }}</ref>

Keith Fletcher took over as captain in 1981, but England lost his first series in charge against India. Bob Willis took over as captain in 1982 and enjoyed victories over India and Pakistan, but lost the Ashes after Australia clinched the series 2–1. England hosted the World Cup in 1983 and reached the semi-finals, but their Test form remained poor, as they suffered defeats against New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/prudential-world-cup-1983-60832/england-vs-india-1st-semi-final-65088/live-cricket-score|title=England vs India, 1st Semi-Final at Manchester, Jun 22 1983 – Match Result}}</ref>

Gower took over as skipper in 1984 and led the team to a 2–1 victory over India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2016/nov/07/england-india-1984-disarray-triumph-cricket|title=England went to India in 1984 in disarray but came home with a famous victory|work=The Guardian |date=7 November 2016 |last1=Pye |first1=Steven }}</ref> They went on to win the 1985 Ashes 3–1, although after this came a poor run of form. Defeat to the West Indies dented the team's confidence,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/aug/13/scariest-test-england-ever-played-terror-west-indies-cricket-1986-patrick-patterson|title=The scariest Test England ever played: terror at the hands of West Indies|work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2017 |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob }}</ref> and they went on to lose to India 2–0. In 1986, Micky Stewart was appointed the first full-time England coach. England beat New Zealand, but there was little hope of them retaining the Ashes in 1986–87. However, despite being described as a team that 'can't bat, can't bowl and can't field', they went on to win the series 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/15/england-australia-ashes-1987-alive-testicular-cancer-anthony-mcgowan|title=Watching England beat Australia in the 1986–87 Ashes kept me alive|work=The Guardian |date=15 November 2021 |last1=McGowan |first1=Anthony }}</ref>

After losing consecutive series against Pakistan, England drew a three match Test series against New Zealand 0–0. They reached the final of the 1987 World Cup, but lost by seven runs against Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/38710046|title=Australia receive medals for 1987 Cricket World Cup win over England|work=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2017 }}</ref> After losing 4–0 to the West Indies, England lost the Ashes to a resurgent Australia led by Allan Border.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1989-60559|title=The Ashes 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rob-smyth-the-ghosts-of-the-1989-ashes-645253|title=The ghosts of '89}}</ref> With the likes of Gatting banned following a rebel tour to South Africa, a new look England team suffered defeat again against the West Indies, although this time by a margin of 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-wisden-trophy-1989-90-60565|title=The Wisden Trophy 1989/90}}</ref>

===1990s=== If the 1980s were a low point for English Test cricket, then the 1990s were only a slight improvement. The arrival of Gooch as captain in 1990 forced a move toward more professionalism and especially fitness though it took some time for old habits to die. Creditable performances against India and New Zealand in 1990 were followed by a hard-fought draw against the 1991 West Indies and a strong performance in the 1992 Cricket World Cup in which the England team finished as runners-up for the second consecutive World Cup, but landmark losses against Australia in 1990–91 and especially Pakistan in 1992 showed England up badly in terms of bowling. So bad was England's bowling in 1993 that Rod Marsh described England's pace attack at one point as "pie throwers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/cricket/2002/oct/04news.htm|title=News Roll ''reddif.com''}}</ref> Having lost three of the first four Tests played in England in 1993, Gooch resigned to be replaced by Michael Atherton.1992 also saw Scotland sever ties with the England and Wales team, and begin to compete as the Scotland national team.<ref name="ScoCA">[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/24.html Scotland] at CricketArchive</ref>

More selectorial problems abounded during Atherton's reign as new chairman of selectors and coach Ray Illingworth (then into his 60s) assumed almost sole responsibility for the team off the field. The youth policy which had seen England emerge from the West Indies tour of 1993–94 with some credit (though losing to a seasoned Windies team) was abandoned and players such as Gatting and Gooch were persisted with when well into their 30s and 40s. England continued to do well at home against weaker opponents such as India, New Zealand and a West Indies team beginning to fade but struggled badly against improving teams like Pakistan and South Africa. Atherton had offered his resignation after losing the 1997 Ashes series 3–2 having been 1–0 up after two matches – eventually to resign one series later in early 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-1997-60645|title=The Ashes 1997}}</ref> England, looking for talent, went through a whole raft of new players during this period, such as Ronnie Irani, Adam Hollioake, Craig White, Graeme Hick and Mark Ramprakash. Alec Stewart took the reins as captain in 1998, but another losing Ashes series and early World Cup exit cost him Test and ODI captaincy in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/11729495/englands-1999-cricket-world-cup-nightmare-20-years-on-from-last-time-england-hosted|title=England's 1999 Cricket World Cup nightmare: 20 years on from last time England hosted |work=Sky Sports }}</ref> This should not detract from the 1998 home Test series where England showed great fortitude to beat a powerful South African team 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/darren-gough-on-headingley-1998-572499|title=Rhino's breakthrough}}</ref>

Another reason for their poor performances were the demands of County Cricket teams on their players, meaning that England could rarely field a full-strength team on their tours. This eventually led to the ECB taking over from the MCC as the governing body of England and the implementation of central contracts. By 1999, with coach David Lloyd resigning after the World Cup exit and new captain Nasser Hussain just appointed, England hit rock bottom (literally ranked as the lowest-rated Test nation) after losing 2–1 to New Zealand in shambolic fashion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-england-1999-62074|title=New Zealand tour of England 1999}}</ref> Hussain was booed on the Oval balcony as the crowd jeered "We've got the worst team in the world" to the tune of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-england-1999-62074|title=New Zealand tour of England 1999}}</ref>

===2000s=== [[File:Lords test match.jpg|thumb|left|England v New Zealand test match at Lord's in 2004]] Central contracts were installed – reducing players workloads – and following the arrival of Zimbabwean coach Duncan Fletcher, England thrashed the fallen West Indies 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-england-and-scotland-2000-61879|title=West Indies tour of England and Scotland 2000}}</ref> England's results in Asia improved that winter with series wins against both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Hussain's team had a far harder edge to it, avoiding the anticipated "Greenwash" in the 2001 Ashes series against the all-powerful Australian team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-maintain-icc-test-championship-lead-with-ashes-victory-97250|title=Australia maintain ICC Test Championship lead with Ashes victory}}</ref> The nucleus the team was slowly coming together as players such as Hussain himself, Graham Thorpe, Darren Gough and Ashley Giles began to be regularly selected. By 2003 though, having endured another Ashes drubbing as well as another first-round exit from the World Cup, Hussain resigned as captain after one Test against South Africa.

Michael Vaughan took over, with players encouraged to express themselves. England won five consecutive Test series prior to facing Australia in the 2005 Ashes series, taking the team to second place in the ICC Test Championship table. During this period England defeated the West Indies home and away, New Zealand, and Bangladesh at home, and South Africa in South Africa. In June 2005, England played its first ever T20 international match, defeating Australia by 100 runs. Later that year, England defeated Australia 2–1 in a thrilling series to regain the Ashes for the first time in 16 years, having lost them in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/06/2005-alternative-history-greatest-ashes|title=2005 and all that: an alternative history of the greatest Ashes|work=The Guardian |date=6 July 2015 |last1=Bull |first1=Andy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/14/the-spin-england-cricket-kevin-pietersen|title=The 2005 Ashes was so special because everyone watched, and everyone could|work=The Guardian |date=14 October 2014 |last1=Bull |first1=Andy }}</ref> Following the 2005 Ashes win, the team suffered from a spate of serious injuries to key players such as Vaughan, Giles, Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones. As a result, the team underwent an enforced period of transition. A 2–0 defeat in Pakistan was followed by two drawn away series with India and Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/daniel-brigham-when-ashes-winning-england-were-derailed-by-pakistan-929015|title=When Ashes-winning England were derailed by Pakistan}}</ref>

In the home Test series victory against Pakistan in July and August 2006, several promising new players emerged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-england-test-series-2006-224903|title=Pakistan in England Test Series 2006}}</ref> Most notable were the left-arm orthodox spin bowler Monty Panesar, the first Sikh to play Test cricket for England, and left-handed opening batsman Alastair Cook. The 2006–07 Ashes series was keenly anticipated and was expected to provide a level of competition comparable to the 2005 series. In the event, England, captained by Flintoff who was deputising for the injured Vaughan, lost all five Tests to concede the first Ashes whitewash in 86 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jan/05/ashes2006.cricket2|title=Abject England roll over|work=The Guardian |date=5 January 2007 |last1=Selvey |first1=Mike }}</ref>

In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, England lost to most of the Test playing nations they faced, beating only the West Indies and Bangladesh, although they also avoided defeat by any of the non-Test playing nations. Even so, the unimpressive nature of most of their victories in the tournament, combined with heavy defeats by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, left many commentators criticising the manner in which the England team approached the one-day game. Coach Duncan Fletcher resigned after eight years in the job as a result and was succeeded by former Sussex coach Peter Moores.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/19/england-cricket-team-cricket|title=Peter Moores unveiled as England cricket coach for second time|work=The Guardian |date=19 April 2014 }}</ref> [[File:Flintoff bowling Siddle, 2009 Ashes 2.jpg|thumb|right|Andrew Flintoff bowling out Peter Siddle's during the 2nd 2009 Ashes Test at Lord's]] In 2007–08, England toured Sri Lanka and New Zealand, losing the first series 1–0 and winning the second 2–1. These series were followed up at home in May 2008 with a 2–0 home series win against New Zealand, with the results easing pressure on Moores – who was not at ease with his team, particularly star batsman Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen succeeded Vaughan as captain in June 2008, after England had been well beaten by South Africa at home. The poor relationship between the two came to a head on the 2008–09 tour to India. England lost the series 1–0 and both men resigned their positions, although Pietersen remained a member of the England team. Moores was replaced as coach by Zimbabwean Andy Flower. Against this background, England toured the West Indies under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss and, in a disappointing performance, lost the Test series 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-west-indies-2008-09-352657|title=England tour of the West Indies 2008/09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/espncricinfo-awards-2009-test-bowling-winner-jerome-taylor-5-for-11-vs-england-448056|title=ESPNcricinfo Awards 2009 Test bowling winner: Jerome Taylor swings us back to the '80s}}</ref>

The 2009 Ashes series featured the first Test match played in Wales, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff to host Ashes Test match |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4921718.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=20 April 2006 |access-date=23 August 2009 }}</ref> England drew the match thanks to a last-wicket stand by bowlers James Anderson and Panesar.<ref name="T1_D5">{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Brett |title=Defiant England cling on for draw |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/8146497.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=12 July 2009 |access-date=23 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713012906/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8146497.stm |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> A victory for each team followed before the series was decided at The Oval. Thanks to fine bowling by Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann and a debut century by Jonathan Trott, England regained the Ashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/aug/23/england-win-ashes-oval-test-australia|title= Paradise regained as England capture the Ashes once more|work=The Guardian|date=23 August 2009|last1=Selvey|first1=Mike}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-england-and-scotland-2009-345967/england-vs-australia-5th-test-345974/match-report|title=Flintoff's fling inspires England Ashes glory}}</ref>

===2010s=== After a drawn Test series in South Africa, England won their first ever ICC event, the 2010 World Twenty20, with a seven-wicket win over Australia in Barbados.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/16/england-australia-world-twenty20-final|title=Craig Kieswetter helps England thrash Australia to win World Twenty20|newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 May 2010 |last1=Selvey |first1=Mike }}</ref> The following winter in the 2010–11 Ashes, they beat Australia 3–1 to retain the urn and record their first series win in Australia for 24 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-2010-11-428730/australia-vs-england-4th-test-428752/match-report|title=England retain the Ashes with innings win}}</ref> Furthermore, all three of their wins were by an innings – the first time a touring team had ever recorded three innings victories in a single Test series, Alastair Cook earning Man of the Series with 766 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ashes-winning-down-under-england-s-post-war-ashes-series-victories-in-australia-1292018|title=Winning Down Under: England's post-war Ashes series victories in Australia}}</ref> [[File:Ashes 2010-11 Sydney Test final wicket.jpg|thumb|left|England players celebrate in the field as Chris Tremlett takes the winning wicket in the 2010–11 Ashes series at the SCG.]] England struggled to match their Test form in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/9421100.stm|title=Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh rally on to shock England|date=11 March 2011 }}</ref> Despite beating South Africa and tying with eventual winners India, England suffered shock losses to Ireland and Bangladesh before losing in the quarter-finals to Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka vs England, 4th quarter-final ICC World Cup 2011|url=http://iccworld-cup2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/4th-quarter-final-sri-lanka-vs-england.html|date=26 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818070122/http://iccworld-cup2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/4th-quarter-final-sri-lanka-vs-england.html|archive-date=18 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> However the team's excellent form in the Test match arena continued and on 13 August 2011, they became the world's top-ranked Test team after comfortably whitewashing India 4–0, their sixth consecutive series victory and eighth in the past nine series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/22/england-india-seal-whitewash|title=England end India's resistance to seal win and whitewash|work=The Guardian |date=22 August 2011 |last1=Marks |first1=Vic }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/14614779|title=England complete India series whitewash at The Oval|work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2011 }}</ref> However, this status only lasted a year – having lost 3–0 to Pakistan over the winter, England were beaten 2–0 by South Africa, who replaced them at the top of the rankings. It was their first home series loss since 2008, against the same opposition. This loss saw the resignation of Strauss as captain and his retirement from cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/29/england-captain-andrew-strauss-retires|title=England captain Andrew Strauss retires from professional cricket|work=The Guardian |date=29 August 2012 |last1=Wilson |first1=Andy }}</ref>

Cook, who was already in charge of the ODI team, replaced Strauss and led England to a 2–1 victory in India – their first in the country since 1984–85.<ref>{{cite news |first=Marc |last=Higginson |title=India v England: Jonathan Trott & Ian Bell lead England to series win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/20752998 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=17 December 2012 |access-date=17 December 2012 }}</ref> In doing so, he became the first captain to score centuries in his first five Tests as captain and became England's leading century-maker with 23 centuries to his name. After finishing as runners-up in the ICC Champions Trophy, England faced Australia in back-to-back Ashes series. A 3–0 home win secured England the urn for the fourth time in five series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-ashes-2013-566894|title=The Ashes 2013}}</ref> However, in the return series, they found themselves utterly demolished in a 5–0 defeat, their second Ashes whitewash in under a decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/25610300|title=Ashes 2013–14: Australia crush England to seal 5–0 whitewash|work=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2014 }}</ref> Their misery was compounded by batsman Jonathan Trott leaving the tour early due to a stress-related illness and the mid-series retirement of spinner Graeme Swann. Following the tour, head coach Flower resigned his post while Pietersen was dropped indefinitely from the England team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/26040475 |title=Kevin Pietersen: Batsman's England career over |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 February 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606010906/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/26040475 |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Flower was replaced by his predecessor, Moores, but he was sacked for a second time after a string of disappointing results including failing to advance from the group stage at the 2015 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/moores-leaves-role-england-head-coach |title=Moores leaves role as England Head Coach |publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board |date=9 May 2015 |access-date=4 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105175138/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/moores-leaves-role-england-head-coach |archive-date=5 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/31792930|title=Cricket World Cup 2015: England knocked out by Bangladesh|work=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2015/mar/10/england-exit-cricket-world-cup|title=Early England exit from Cricket World Cup is new low|work=The Guardian |date=10 March 2015 |last1=Snowdon |first1=Graham }}</ref>

[[File:The England Cricket Team Ashes 2015.jpg|thumbnail|right|The England team celebrate victory over Australia in the 2015 Ashes series.]]Moores was replaced by Australian Trevor Bayliss<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ecb-names-trevor-bayliss-englands-new-head-coach |title=Bayliss named England's new Head Coach |publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board |date=26 May 2015 |access-date=4 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129101453/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ecb-names-trevor-bayliss-englands-new-head-coach |archive-date=29 January 2016 }}</ref> who oversaw an upturn of form in the ODI team, including series victories against New Zealand and Pakistan. In the Test arena, England reclaimed the Ashes 3–2 in the summer of 2015 before regaining the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy in the 2015–16 winter. However, the upturn in fortune of the ODI and T20I teams coincided with steadily declining form of the Test team, especially with the bat, despite the emergence of key players Joe Root and Ben Stokes. After recording their first ever loss to Bangladesh in a Test, a 4–0 loss to India on the same tour resulted in the resignation of Cook as captain in early 2017, being replaced by Root, who was unable to reverse the decline in the fortunes of the team: in his first year as captain, the team suffered another away Ashes drubbing followed by a loss to New Zealand, embarrassingly dismissed for just 58 in the first test, although the team did recover to beat India 4–1 in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/846959 |title=England move up to fourth position after 4–1 series win |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref>

[[File:2019 World Cup winning England Cricket team with PM Theresa May.jpg|thumb|left|The England team celebrating their 2019 Cricket World Cup success at 10 Downing Street with Theresa May]] England entered the 2019 Cricket World Cup as favourites, having been ranked the number one ODI team by the ICC for over a year prior to the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48125031|title=Why England are favourites for the Cricket World Cup – and who might stop them|date=28 May 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619203809/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48125031|archive-date=19 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, shock defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the group stage left them on the brink of elimination and needing to win their final two games against India and New Zealand to guarantee progression to the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48765744|title=England lose against Australia in Cricket World Cup as old habits return at the worst of times|date=25 June 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626091817/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48765744|archive-date=26 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> This was achieved, putting their campaign back on track, and an eight-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final at Edgbaston meant England were in their first World Cup final since 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48870770|title=England reach Cricket World Cup final with thrashing of Australia|date=11 July 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715043052/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48870770|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The final against New Zealand at Lord's has been described as one of the greatest and most dramatic matches in the history of cricket, with some calling it the "greatest ODI in history",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12249489|title=2019 Cricket World Cup final: England beat Black Caps in greatest ODI in history|last=Anderson|first=Niall|journal=The New Zealand Herald|date=14 July 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|issn=1170-0777|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715173614/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12249489|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> as both the match and subsequent Super Over were tied, after England went into the final over of their innings 14 runs behind New Zealand's total. England won by virtue of having scored more boundaries throughout the match, securing their maiden World Cup title in their fourth final appearance.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48983890|title=England win Cricket World Cup: Ben Stokes stars in dramatic victory over New Zealand|date=14 July 2019|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715181544/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48983890|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/report/1144530/england-vs-new-zealand-final-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019|title=Epic final tied, Super Over tied, England win World Cup on boundary count|website=ESPNcricinfo|date=14 July 2019 |access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715190820/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/report/1144530/england-vs-new-zealand-final-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

That summer's Ashes was the last series with Bayliss as coach and the series was full of moments including the emergence of Rory Burns and Jofra Archer, but it was Stokes's virtuosic effort in the third Test at Headingley which entered cricketing folklore: with only one wicket remaining and 76 more runs still to win, Stokes hit an unbeaten 135 to keep the series alive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |last2=Lemon |first2=Geoff |last3=Howcroft |first3=Jonathan |title=Ashes 2019: Ben Stokes steers England to one-wicket victory over Australia – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/aug/25/ashes-2019-england-v-australia-third-test-day-four-live |website=The Guardian |date=25 August 2019 |access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> England eventually drew the series 2–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/ashes-2019-australia-has-the-urn-but-no-series-win-so-where-does-the-result-stack-up/news-story/e7899239cbb32ab43ac84dd7056a0f7d |title=Ashes 2019: Australia has the urn but no series win — so where does the result stack up? |work=Fox Sports Australia |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

===2020s=== [[File:England 2022 T20 World Cup champions.jpg|thumb|right|England players celebrating their victory with the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup trophy]] Under new coach Chris Silverwood, England began the new decade well when they beat South Africa 3–1 away from home in early 2020, the first time that the England cricket team had won three Tests on a tour to South Africa since 1913–14.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/51270668 |title=England in South Africa: Joe Root's team win series 3–1 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref> The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was immediately felt when England were withdrawn from their tour of Sri Lanka whilst being on the field,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28896266/england-tour-sri-lanka-cancelled-amid-covid-19-spread |title=England tour of Sri Lanka cancelled amid COVID-19 spread |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> England were able to fulfil all of their fixture obligations during this time, but the summer of 2021 would be marred by COVID interruptions: England were forced to select a second-choice XI for the ODI series against Pakistan due to a COVID-19 outbreak,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2184648 |title=Ben Stokes to captain England against Pakistan after seven members in bio-bubble test positive for COVID-19 |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref> and the deciding test of the 2021 Pataudi Trophy was postponed for 12 months due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/banner/england-india_fifth_test_old_trafford_cancelled_covid-19_fears_in_tourists_camp.html |title=England-India fifth Test at Old Trafford cancelled over Covid-19 fears in tourists' camp |work=The Cricketer |access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref>

After being beaten in the semi finals of the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the 2021–22 Ashes series could not have started worse for England when Rory Burns was bowled by Mitchell Starc on the first ball of the series. Four heavy defeats led to Silverwood's resignation as coach and Ashley Giles's resignation as director of cricket. England then toured the West Indies and dropped several senior players, including Burns and Dawid Malan but also their leading fast bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60302401 |title=James Anderson & Stuart Broad left out of England squad for West Indies tour |work=BBC Sport |access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> That decision backfired when England could not bowl out the West Indies in the first two tests and following a loss in the deciding test, Root resigned as captain after winning just one test in his last 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/joe-root-to-remain-england-test-captain-as-graham-thorpe-becomes-latest-ashes-casualty-1299860 |title=Joe Root to remain England Test captain as Graham Thorpe becomes latest Ashes casualty |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=4 February 2022}}</ref>

2022 saw a period of transition in both Test and white-ball teams; under a new management structure of Rob Key as director of cricket, England hired Ben Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as coach of the Test team and their attacking play became known as Bazball, winning 11 of their first 13 tests, beating New Zealand, India, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ireland. The white-ball team hired Matthew Mott as coach and set the highest total in List A cricket when they scored 498–4 against The Netherlands in June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61839784 |title=England break ODI record with total of 498–4 in Netherlands |work=BBC Sport |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12173/12635647/england-smash-world-record-498-4-against-netherlands-jos-buttler-one-of-three-players-to-hit-hundreds |title=England smash world-record 498–4 against Netherlands; Jos Buttler one of three players to hit hundreds |work=Sky Sports |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> Jos Buttler succeeded Eoin Morgan as white-ball captain and won the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, becoming the first team to hold both the 50-over and 20-over trophies concurrently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=England script history, become first team to hold both men's ODI and T20 World Cup titles |url=https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-script-history-become-first-team-to-hold-both-mens-odi-and-t20-world-cup-titles-533759 |access-date=14 November 2022 |website=WION |date=13 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The following year saw England draw the 2023 Ashes series and crash out of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in the group stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/67319330#:~:text=England's%20World%20Cup%20defence%20is,hope%20of%20a%20freak%20turnaround.|title=Cricket World Cup 2023: England's defence ended by Australia defeat|work=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2023 }}</ref>

===Recent results=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" |- ! rowspan=2| | colspan="3" style="text-align:center"| '''Home''' ||colspan="3" style="text-align:center"| '''Away''' |- ! Test  ! One Day International  ! Twenty20 International ! Test  ! One Day International  ! Twenty20 International |- ! Last match won | 3rd Test v India 2025 | 3rd ODI v South Africa 2025 | 2nd T20I v South Africa 2025 | 4th Test v Australia 2025 | 2nd ODI v West Indies 2024 | 2nd T20I v New Zealand 2025 |- ! Last match lost | 5th Test v India 2025 | 2nd ODI v South Africa 2025 | 1st T20I v South Africa 2025 | 3rd Test v Australia 2025 | 3rd ODI v New Zealand 2025 | 5th T20I v India 2025 |- ! Last series won | Sri Lanka 2024 | West Indies 2025 | West Indies 2025 | New Zealand 2024–25 | Bangladesh 2022–23 | New Zealand 2025–26 |- ! Last series lost | New Zealand 2021 | South Africa 2025 | South Africa 2022 | Pakistan 2024–25 | New Zealand 2025–26 | India 2024–25 |- | {{n/a}} |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;home_or_away=1;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 4 August 2025. |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;home_or_away=1;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 7 September 2025. |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;home_or_away=1;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 14 September 2025. |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;home_or_away=2;home_or_away=3;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 29 December 2025. |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;home_or_away=2;home_or_away=3;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 4 December 2025. |''Source: [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;home_or_away=2;home_or_away=3;orderby=start;orderbyad=reverse;size=10;team=1;template=results;type=team;view=results ESPNcricinfo.com]''. Last updated: 31 October 2025. |}

==Forthcoming fixtures== As set out by the ICC's Future Tours Programme, below is England's international fixture list until the Autumn of 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pulse-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/c100c4a8-78ff-48a3-a687-7f424d5450e6/ICC_Tours.pdf |title=2018 Men's Future Tour Programme |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195950/https://pulse-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/c100c4a8-78ff-48a3-a687-7f424d5450e6/ICC_Tours.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Men's FTP 2023–2027 |url=https://i.imgci.com/db/DOWNLOAD/0000/0045/men-s_ftp_2023_2027.pdf}}</ref>

'''Summer 2026''' * June : New Zealand cricket team in England in 2026 for three Tests * July : Indian cricket team in England in 2026 for three ODIs and five T20Is * August to September : Pakistani cricket team in England in 2026 for three Tests * September : Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 2026 for three ODIs and three T20Is

==Governing body== {{Main|England and Wales Cricket Board}}

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the governing body of English and Welsh cricket and the England cricket team. The Board has been operating since 1 January 1997 and represents England on the International Cricket Council. The ECB is also responsible for the generation of income from the sale of tickets, sponsorship and broadcasting rights, primarily in relation to the England team. The ECB's income in the 2006 calendar year was £77 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://static.ecb.co.uk/files/ecb-annual-report-accounts-2006-group-financial-statements-1846.pdf |title=ECB Annual Report and Accounts 2006 |publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=7 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221616/http://static.ecb.co.uk/files/ecb-annual-report-accounts-2006-group-financial-statements-1846.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

Prior to 1997, the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) was the governing body for the English team. Apart from in Test matches, when touring abroad, the England team officially played as MCC up to and including the 1976–77 tour of Australia, reflecting the time when MCC had been responsible for selecting the touring party. The last time the England touring team wore the bacon-and-egg colours of the MCC was on the 1996–97 tour of New Zealand.

===Status of Wales=== {{See also|Cricket in Wales|Proposed Wales national cricket team}} Historically, the England team represented the whole of Great Britain in international cricket, with Scottish or Welsh national teams playing sporadically and players from both countries occasionally representing England. Scotland became an independent member of the ICC in 1994, having severed links with the TCCB two years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2005 |title=ICC Cricket World Cup countdown – Scotland |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-cricket-world-cup-countdown-scotland-219330 |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cricket Scotland |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/members/europe/associate/69 |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104225411/https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/members/europe/associate/69 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Lewis-2022">{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Thomas |date=18 January 2022 |title=Some fans think Wales should declare independence from England – at cricket |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/fans-think-its-time-wales-22786253 |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ruscoe-2004" />

Criticism has been made of the England and Wales Cricket Board using only the England name while utilising Welsh players<ref name="Ruscoe-2004">{{cite web |last1=Ruscoe |first1=Sybil |title=England's Welshmen call for name change |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2386685/Englands-Welshmen-call-for-name-change.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2386685/Englands-Welshmen-call-for-name-change.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=Daily Telegraph |date=13 September 2004}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Lewis-2022" /> such as Simon and Geraint Jones. With Welsh players pursuing international careers exclusively with an England team, there have been a number of calls for Wales to become an independent member of the ICC, or for the ECB to provide more fixtures for a Welsh national team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035|title=Should Wales have its own international cricket team, ask Assembly Members|date=23 October 2013|website=Wales Online|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093255/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref> However, both Cricket Wales and Glamorgan County Cricket Club have continually supported the ECB, with Glamorgan arguing for the financial benefits of the Welsh county within the English and Welsh structure, and Cricket Wales stating they are "committed to continuing to play a major role within the ECB"<ref>{{cite web|title=Clearing the Boundaries|url=http://www.cricketwales.org.uk/uploads/news/Clearing%20the%20Boundaries_FINAL_spreads.pdf|website=Cricket Wales|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103223746/http://www.cricketwales.org.uk/uploads/news/Clearing%20the%20Boundaries_FINAL_spreads.pdf|archive-date=3 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Glamorgan chief executive says Wales cricket team makes 'no sense' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44487411 |agency=BBC |date=14 June 2018 |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131130523/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44487411 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Glamorgan oppose petition to form a Wales cricket team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/16136233 |agency=BBC |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114204611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/16136233 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The absence of a Welsh cricket team has seen a number of debates within the Welsh Senedd. In 2013 a debate saw both Conservative and Labour members lend their support to the establishment of an independent Welsh team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Establishment of a Welsh Cricket Team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/wales-24613204 |newspaper=BBC Democracy Live |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114204700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/wales-24613204 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, a report produced by the Welsh National Assembly's petitions committee, reflected the passionate debate around the issue. Bethan Jenkins, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on heritage, culture, sport and broadcasting, and a member of the petitions committee, argued that Wales should have its own international team and withdraw from the ECB. Jenkins noted that Ireland (with a population of 6.4 million) was an ICC member with 6,000 club players whereas Wales (with 3 million) had 7,500. Jenkins said: "Cricket Wales and Glamorgan CCC say the idea of a Welsh national cricket team is 'an emotive subject', of course having a national team is emotive, you only have to look at the stands during any national game to see that. To suggest this as anything other than natural is a bit of a misleading argument."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-query-possibility-welsh-national-5698082|title=A Welsh national cricket team? AMs will have their say on the possibility this autumn|last=Shipton|first=Martin|website=walesonline|access-date=21 March 2016|date=12 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071637/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-query-possibility-welsh-national-5698082|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/fresh-debate-whether-its-time-8837007|title=Welsh national cricket team should be set up says Rhun ap Iorwerth|last=Wyn-Williams|first=Gareth|website=northwales|access-date=21 March 2016|date=14 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141322/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/fresh-debate-whether-its-time-8837007|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/towards-a-national-future-for-welsh-cricket|title=Jonathan EdwardsTowards a National Future for Welsh Cricket|access-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045747/http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/towards-a-national-future-for-welsh-cricket|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035 |title=Should Wales have its own international cricket team, ask Assembly Members |last=Shipton |first=Martin |website=Wales Online |access-date=21 March 2016 |date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093255/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21656717-campaign-national-cricket-team-bat-and-daffodil|title=The bat and the daffodil|newspaper=The Economist|issn=0013-0613|access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/call-wales-cricket-team-2151211|title=Call for Wales to have its own cricket team|last=Williamson|first=David|website=Wales Online|access-date=21 March 2016|date=7 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203838/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/call-wales-cricket-team-2151211|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones called for the reintroduction of the Welsh one-day team stating: "[It] is odd that we see Ireland and Scotland playing in international tournaments and not Wales."<ref>{{cite news |title=Wales cricket team should play one-day games, Carwyn Jones says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40497534 |agency=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=4 July 2017 |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129024732/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40497534 |archive-date=29 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=David |title=Carwyn Jones says Wales should have a one-day international Welsh cricket team |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/carwyn-jones-says-wales-should-13283819 |publisher=Wales Online |date=5 July 2017 |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106171557/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/carwyn-jones-says-wales-should-13283819 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==International grounds== {{Main|List of international men's cricket grounds in England and Wales}}

{{location map+|England|float=right|width=290|caption=Locations of current international cricket grounds in England and Wales|places= {{location map~|England|label=Bristol|position=right|lat=51.477225|long=-2.584156}} {{location map~|England|label=Taunton|position=left|lat=51.019|long=-3.1008}} {{location map~|England|label=Edgbaston|position=left|lat=52.455814|long=-1.902489}} {{location map~|England|label=Headingley|position=right|lat=53.816353|long=-1.582172}} {{location map~|England|label=The Oval|position=right|lat=51.483719|long=-0.114981}} {{location map~|England|label=Lord's|position=left|lat=51.5294|long=-0.1727}} {{location map~|England|label=Old Trafford|position=left|lat=53.456347|long=-2.286761}} {{location map~|England|label=Riverside|position=right|lat=54.849644|long=-1.560706}} {{location map~|England|label=Sophia Gardens|position=left|lat=51.487222|long=-3.191389}} {{location map~|England|label=Rose Bowl|position=bottom|lat=50.924|long=-1.3219}} {{location map~|England|label=Trent Bridge|position=right|lat=52.936954|long=-1.132108}} }}

''Listed chronologically in order of first match and include neutral fixtures such as World Cup and Champions Trophy games'' {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Venue !! City !! County team !! Capacity !! Years used !! Test !! ODI !! T20I |- !colspan="8"| Current venues |- | The Oval || London || Surrey || 26,000 || 1880– || 108 || 77 || 17 |- | Old Trafford || Manchester || Lancashire || 26,000 || 1884– || 86 || 55 || 13 |- | Lord's || London || Middlesex || 28,000 || 1884– || 149 || 71 || 10 |- | Trent Bridge || Nottingham || Nottinghamshire || 17,500 || 1899– || 67 || 51 || 14 |- | Headingley || Leeds || Yorkshire || 17,500 || 1899– || 82 || 48 || 1 |- | Edgbaston || Birmingham || Warwickshire || 25,000 || 1902– || 57 || 65 || 8 |- | Riverside Ground || Chester-le-Street || Durham || 19,000 || 1999– || 6 || 22 || 5 |- | Sophia Gardens || Cardiff || Glamorgan || 15,500 || 1999– || 3 || 31 || 11 |- | Rose Bowl || Southampton || Hampshire || 25,000 || 2003– || 7 || 33 || 13 |- | County Ground || Taunton || Somerset || 12,500 || 1983–2019 || – || 6 || 1 |- | County Ground || Bristol || Gloucestershire || 17,500 || 1983– || – || 21 || 7 |- !colspan="8"| Former venues |- | Bramall Lane || Sheffield || Yorkshire || 32,000 || 1902 || 1 || – || — |- | St. Helen's || Swansea || Glamorgan || 4,500 || 1973–1983 || – || 2 || — |- | North Marine Road Ground || Scarborough || Yorkshire || 11,500 || 1976–1978 || – || 2 || — |- | Grace Road || Leicester || Leicestershire || 12,000 || 1983–1999 || – || 3 || — |- | New Road || Worcester || Worcestershire || 5,500 || 1983–1999 || – || 3 || — |- | County Ground || Southampton || Hampshire || 7,000 || 1983–1999 || – || 3 || — |- | County Ground || Derby || Derbyshire || 9,500 || 1983–1999 || – || 2 || — |- | Nevill Ground || Tunbridge Wells || Kent || 6,000 || 1983 || – || 1 || — |- | County Ground || Chelmsford || Essex || 6,500 || 1983–1999 || – || 3 || — |- | St Lawrence Ground || Canterbury || Kent || 15,000 || 1999–2005 || – || 4 || — |- | County Ground || Northampton || Northamptonshire || 6,500 || 1999|| – || 2 || — |- |colspan="8"| As of 31 September 2025<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundList.asp|title=List of cricket grounds in England and Wales|access-date=9 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624175225/http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Grounds/GroundList.asp|archive-date=24 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |}

==Current squad== This lists all the active players who are contracted to or have played for England in the past year (since 1 June 2025) and the forms in which they have played, and any players (in italics) outside this criterion who have been selected in the team's most recent Test, ODI or T20I squad.

The ECB offers a number of contracts in October each year to England players which covers both red-ball and white-ball players, considers the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across formats over the next period while recognising performances in the preceding year.<ref name="23cc">{{Cite web |title=ECB announces updated England Men's Central Contract list for 2025–26|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4395907/ecb-announces-updated-england-mens-central-contract-list-for-202526 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=ECB}}</ref> Multi-year contracts have been awarded since 2023.

In addition, Chris Woakes has appeared in Tests during this period but has since retired from international cricket, and Jamie Overton has appeared in Tests but is taking an indefinite break from red-ball cricket.

'''Key''' *S/N = Shirt number *Con = Contract type (Central / Development)<ref name=23cc />

{| class="wikitable" |- ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Name ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Age ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Batting style ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Bowling style ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Domestic team ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Con ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Forms ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | S/N ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Captaincy ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Last Test ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Last ODI ! style="text-align:center; background:#012169; color:white; | Last T20I |- !colspan="12"| Batters |- | Tom Banton || {{age|1998|11|11}} || Right-handed || – || Somerset || align="center"| – || T20I || align="center"| 98 || || – || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Harry Brook || {{age|1999|2|22}} || Right-handed || Right-arm medium || Yorkshire ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 88 || ODI, T20I (C), Test (VC) || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Jordan Cox || {{age|2000|10|21}} || Right-handed || – || Essex || align="center"| – || T20I || align="center"| 93 || || – || {{cricon|WIN}} 2024 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 |- | Zak Crawley || {{age|1998|2|3}} || Right-handed || – || Kent ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI ||align="center"| 6 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || – |- | Ben Duckett || {{age|1994|10|17}} || Left-handed || – || Nottinghamshire ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 17 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 |- | ''Emilio Gay'' || {{age|2000|4|14}} || Left-handed || – || Durham || align="center"| – || ''Test'' ||align="center"| 52 || || – || – || – |- | Ollie Pope || {{age|1998|1|2}} || Right-handed || – || Surrey ||align="center"| C || Test ||align="center"| 80 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2025 || – || – |- | Joe Root || {{age|1990|12|30}} || Right-handed || Right-arm off break || Yorkshire ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI ||align="center"| 66 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|PAK}} 2019 |- !colspan="12"| All-rounders |- | Rehan Ahmed || {{age|2004|8|13}} || Right-handed || Right-arm leg spin || Leicestershire ||align="center"| C || ''Test'', ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 53 || || {{cricon|PAK}} 2024 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2026 |- | Jacob Bethell || {{age|2003|10|23}} || Left-handed || Slow left-arm orthodox || Warwickshire || align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 82 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Sam Curran || {{age|1998|6|3}} || Left-handed || Left-arm medium-fast || Surrey ||align="center"| C || ODI, T20I || align="center"| 58 || || {{cricon|IND}} 2021 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Liam Dawson || {{age|1990|3|1}} || Right-handed || Slow left-arm orthodox || Hampshire || align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 83 || || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Will Jacks || {{age|1998|11|21}} || Right-handed || Right-arm off break || Surrey || align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 85 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Jamie Overton || {{age|1994|4|10}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast || Surrey || align="center"| C || ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 75 || || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Ben Stokes || {{age|1991|6|4}} || Left-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Durham ||align="center"| C || Test ||align="center"| 55 || Test (C) || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|PAK}} 2023 || {{cricon|PAK}} 2022 |- !colspan="12"| Wicket-keeper-batters |- | Jos Buttler || {{age|1990|9|8}} || Right-handed || – || Lancashire ||align="center"| C || ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 63 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2022 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | ''James Rew'' || {{age|2004|1|11}} || Left-handed || – || Somerset || align="center"| – || ''Test'' ||align="center"| 89 || || – || – || – |- | Phil Salt || {{age|1996|8|28}} || Right-handed || – || Lancashire || align="center"| C || T20I ||align="center"| 61 || || – || {{cricon|SA}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Jamie Smith || {{age|2000|7|12}} || Right-handed || – || Surrey || align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 39 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 || {{cricon|WIN}} 2025 |- !colspan="12"| Pace bowlers |- | Jofra Archer || {{age|1995|4|1}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast|| Sussex ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 22 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2025 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |- | Gus Atkinson || {{age|1998|1|19}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Surrey ||align="center"| C || Test ||align="center"| 37 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 |- | Sonny Baker || {{age|2003|3|13}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast ||Hampshire || align="center"| C || ''Test'', ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 60 || || – || {{cricon|SA}} 2025 || {{cricon|IRE}} 2025 |- | Brydon Carse || {{age|1995|7|31}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Durham ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 92 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 |- | ''Matthew Fisher'' || {{age|1997|11|9}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Surrey ||align="center"| – || ''Test'' ||align="center"| 74 || || {{cricon|WIN}} 2022 || – || – |- | Saqib Mahmood || {{age|1997|2|25}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Lancashire ||align="center"| C || ODI ||align="center"| 25 || || {{cricon|WIN}} 2022 || {{cricon|SA}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 |- | Matthew Potts || {{age|1998|10|29}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Durham ||align="center"| C || Test, ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 35 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || {{cricon|WIN}} 2025 || {{cricon|WIN}} 2025 |- | Ollie Robinson || {{age|1993|12|1}} || Right-handed || Right-arm medium-fast || Sussex || align=center| – || ''Test'' || align=center| 57 || || {{cricon|IND}} 2024 || – || – |- | Josh Tongue || {{age|1997|11|15}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast-medium || Nottinghamshire ||align="center"| C || Test, ''T20I'' ||align="center"| 56 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2026 || – || – |- | Luke Wood || {{age|1995|8|2}} || Left-handed || Left-arm medium-fast || Lancashire ||align="center"| C || ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 57 || || – || {{cricon|NZ}} 2025 || {{cricon|NEP}} 2026 |- | Mark Wood || {{age|1990|1|11}} || Right-handed || Right-arm fast || Durham ||align="center"| C || Test ||align="center"| 33 || || {{cricon|AUS}} 2025 || {{cricon|AFG}} 2025 || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 |- !colspan="12"| Spin bowlers |- | Shoaib Bashir || {{age|2003|10|13}} || Right-handed || Right-arm off break || Derbyshire || align="center"| C || Test || align="center"| 67 || || {{cricon|IND}} 2025 || – || – |- | Adil Rashid || {{age|1988|2|17}} || Right-handed || Right-arm leg spin || Yorkshire ||align="center"| C || ODI, T20I ||align="center"| 95 || || {{cricon|WIN}} 2019 || {{cricon|SL}} 2026 || {{cricon|IND}} 2026 |}

==Coaching staff== {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#012169; color:white; text-align:center; | Position ! style="background:#012169; color:white; text-align:center; | Name |- | Head coach | Brendon McCullum<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/brendon-mccullum-named-as-england-s-new-test-coach-1314672?platform=amp|title=Brendon McCullum named as England's new Test coach|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 May 2022|archive-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512131434/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/brendon-mccullum-named-as-england-s-new-test-coach-1314672?platform=amp|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Assistant coach | Paul Collingwood<ref name="BBC interim">{{cite web |title=Collingwood named interim England coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60288338 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> |- | Batting coach | Marcus Trescothick |- | Spin bowling coach | Jeetan Patel |- | Fast-bowling coach | Troy Cooley<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shemilt |first=Stephan |date=21 January 2026 |title=Troy Cooley: England hire 2005 Ashes-winning pace-bowling coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c0q45xe7ev8o |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> |}

==Team colours==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:1em; float:right" |- !Period !Kit manufacturer !Shirt sponsor |- |1994–1996 | |rowspan=2|Tetley Bitter |- |1996–1998 |rowspan=2|ASICS |- |1998–2000 |rowspan=3|Vodafone |- |2000–2008 |Admiral |- |2008–2010 |rowspan="3"|Adidas |- |2010–2014 |Brit Insurance |- |2014–2017 |Waitrose |- |2017–2021 |rowspan=2|New Balance |NatWest |- |2021–2022 |rowspan=2|Cinch |- |2022–2025 |Rowspan=2|Castore<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/2248054|title=Castore confirmed as Official kit supplier to England Cricket |date=13 September 2021 |access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> |- |2025–present |Toyota |- |}

When playing Test cricket, England's cricket whites feature the three lions badge on the left of the shirt and the name of the sponsor Toyota on the centre. English and Welsh fielders may wear a navy blue cap or white sun hat with the ECB logo in the middle. Helmets are also coloured navy blue. Before 1997 the uniform sported the TCCB lion and stumps logo on the uniforms, while the helmets, jumpers and hats had the three lions emblem.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/qa-the-sinister-aspect-of-golf-1590548.html |title=QA: The sinister aspect of golf |work=The Independent |access-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214072002/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/qa-the-sinister-aspect-of-golf-1590548.html |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before 1996, the caps used in test touring squads featured a crest depicting St. George and a dragon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2018 |title=Lions in sheep's clothing |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/1135753.html |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> In April 2017, the ECB brought back the traditional cable-knit sweater for test matches.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 April 2017|title=All hail the return of cricket's traditional cable-knit sweater|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/04/04/hail-return-crickets-traditional-cable-knit-sweater/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/04/04/hail-return-crickets-traditional-cable-knit-sweater/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=17 August 2021|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In One Day Internationals the kit is a blue shirt with navy trousers, whilst the Twenty20 kit is a flame-red shirt and navy trousers. Over the years, England's ODI kit has cycled between various shades of blue (such as a pale blue used until the mid-1990s, when it was replaced in favour of a bright blue)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/news/2015/features-and-specials/85251/classic-world-cup-kits-1996.html |title=Classic World Cup Kits 1996 |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703222200/http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/news/2015/features-and-specials/85251/classic-world-cup-kits-1996.html |archive-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/news/2015/features-and-specials/85289/classic-world-cup-kits-1999.html |title=Classic World Cup Kits 1999 |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619193705/http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/news/2015/features-and-specials/85289/classic-world-cup-kits-1999.html |archive-date=19 June 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with the occasional all-red kit.<ref>{{cite news|title=England's ODI kits down the years|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/05/03/englands-odi-kits-years-ranked-rated/|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121216/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/05/03/englands-odi-kits-years-ranked-rated/|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In limited overs cricket, England's shirts feature the Toyota logo across the centre, except in ICC limited-overs tournaments when a modified kit design is used with 'ENGLAND' printed across the front and the sponsor's logo on the sleeve.

==Fan following== {{Main|Barmy Army}}

left|180px|thumb|The Barmy Army chanting at the Sydney Cricket Ground The Barmy Army is a travel agency that provides tickets and arranges touring parties for some of its members to follow the English cricket team in the UK and overseas. The Barmy Army was at first an informal group but was later turned into a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgci.com/db/NATIONAL/ENG/CLUBS/barmy-army/history.html|title=History of the Barmy Army}}</ref>

The name is also applied to followers of the team who join in with match day activities in the crowd, but do not necessarily travel as part of an organised tour. Collins dictionary defines the word barmy as "slightly crazy or very foolish".

The group, then less organised, was given its name by the Australian media during the 1994–95 Test series in Australia, reportedly for the fans' hopeless audacity in travelling all the way to Australia in the near-certain knowledge that their team would lose, and the fact that they kept on chanting encouragement to the England team even when England were losing quite badly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/dec/01/ashes2006.cricket7 |title=Crass and corporate – why the Barmy Army are no laughing matter |date=30 November 2006 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/dominic-lawson/dominic-lawson-fight-back-against-the-barmy-army-427134.html |title=Dominic Lawson: Fight back against the Barmy Army |date=5 December 2006 |work=The Independent}}</ref> It was co-founded by Paul Burnham.<ref name=tm>{{cite web|url=http://www.trademarkify.com.au/trademark/1114806?i=BARMY_ARMY-BACSC_Ltd_and_Peacock_David_John#.UT3AC9pFDIU |title=BARMY ARMY by BACSC Ltd and Peacock, David John – Australian Trademark No.1114806 |publisher=Trade Marks Australia |access-date=23 March 2020}}</ref>

==Tournament history==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+'''Key''' |style="background:gold" width="20"| |align="left"| '''Champions''' |- |style="background:silver" width="20"| |align="left"| '''Runners-up''' |- |style="background:#cc9966" width="20"| |align="left"| '''Third place''' |- |style="background:lemonchiffon" width="20"| |align="left"| '''Fourth place''' |}

{{legend2||''Indicates tournaments played within England''|border=2px solid red}}

===World Test Championship=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- | colspan="19" | ICC World Test Championship record |- ! width="150" rowspan="3" | Year ! colspan="10" | League stage ! width="150" ! rowspan="3" | Final host ! width="150" rowspan="3" | Final ! width="100" rowspan="3" | Final position |- ! width="20" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|Pos|Position}} !! colspan="5" | Matches !! width="20" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|Ded|Deductions}} !! width="20" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|PC|Points Contested}} !! width="20" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|Pts|Points}} !! width="20" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|PCT|Fraction of Points Won out of Points Contested}} |- ! width="20" | {{abbr|P|Played}} !! width="20" | {{abbr|W|Won}} !! width="20" | {{abbr|L|Lost}} !! width="20" | {{abbr|D|Drawn}} !! width="20" | {{abbr|T|Tied}} |- style="background:LemonChiffon" | 2019–21<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2021-2023-1268315/points-table-standings|title=ICC World Test Championship 2021–2023 Table|access-date=11 June 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> || 4/9 || 21 || 11 || 7 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 720 || 442 || '''61.4''' || style="border:2px solid red"|Rose Bowl, England || DNQ || League Stage |- style="background:LemonChiffon" | 2021–23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2021-2023-1195334/points-table-standings|title=ICC World Test Championship 2019–2021 Table|access-date=29 August 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> || 4/9 || 22 || 10 || 8 || 4 || 0 || 12 || 264 || 124 || '''47'''|| style="border:2px solid red" |The Oval, England || DNQ || League Stage |- | 2023–25<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2023-2025-1345943/points-table-standings|title=ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025 Points Table|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> || 5/9 || 22 || 11 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 22 || 264 || 114 || '''43.2'''|| style="border:2px solid red" |Lord's, England || DNQ || League Stage |- | 2025–27<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2025-2027-1472510/points-table-standings|title=ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 Points Table|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref> || ''7/9'' || 10 || 3 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 2 || 120 || 38 || '''31.67'''|| style="border:2px solid red" |Lord's, England || ''TBD'' || ''In progress''

===Cricket World Cup=== {{main|England at the Cricket World Cup}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !colspan=9|World Cup record |- ! width=200 |Year ! width=150 |Round ! width=50 |Position ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|W|Matches won}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|L|Matches lost}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|T|Matches tied}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|NR|No result}} ! width=50 |Win % |- style="background:#cc9966" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} 1975||Semi-final||3/8||4||3||1||0||0||75.00 |- style="background:silver" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} 1979||Runners-up||2/8||5||4||1||0||0||80.00 |- style="background:#cc9966" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} 1983||Semi-final||3/8||7||5||2||0||0||71.43 |- style="background:silver" |{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|PAK}} 1987||rowspan=2|Runners-up||2/8||8||5||3||0||0||62.50 |- style="background:silver" |{{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} 1992||2/9||10||6||3||0||1||66.67 |- |{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|PAK}} {{flagicon|SRI}} 1996||Quarter-final||rowspan=2|8/12||6||2||4||0||0||33.33 |- |style="border:2px solid red"| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} {{flagicon|SCO}} {{flagicon|IRL}} {{flagicon|NED}} 1999||Group stage||5||3||2||0||0||60.00 |- |{{flagicon|RSA}} {{flagicon|ZIM}} {{flagicon|KEN}} 2003||Group stage||8/14||6||3||3||0||0||50.00 |- |{{flagicon|WIN}} 2007||Super 8||5/16||9||5||4||0||0||55.55 |- |{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|SRI}} {{flagicon|BAN}} 2011||Quarter-final||7/14||7||3||3||1||0||50.00 |- |{{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} 2015||Group stage||10/14||6||2||4||0||0||33.33 |- style="background:gold" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} 2019||'''Champions'''||1/10||11||8||3||0||0||68.18 |- |{{flagicon|IND}} 2023||Group stage||7/10||9||3||6||0||0||33.33 |- |{{flagicon|RSA}} {{flagicon|ZIM}} {{flagicon|NAM}} 2027 || colspan="9" rowspan="2"| ''TBD'' |- |{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|BAN}} 2031 |- !Total||1 title||13/13||93||52||39||1||1||56.45 |}

:''*The win percentage excludes no results and counts ties as half a win.''

===T20 World Cup=== {{main|England at the T20 World Cup}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !colspan=9|T20 World Cup record |- ! width=200 |Year ! width=150 |Round ! width=50 |Position ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|W|Matches won}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|L|Matches lost}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|T|Matches tied}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|NR|No result}} ! width=50 |Win % |- |{{flagicon|RSA}} 2007||rowspan=2|Super 8||7/12||5||1||4||0||0||20.00 |- |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} 2009||6/12||5||2||3||0||0||40.00 |- style="background:Gold" |{{flagicon|WIN}} 2010||'''Champions'''||1/12||7||5||1||0||1||83.33 |- |{{flagicon|SRI}} 2012||Super 8||6/12||5||2||3||0||0||40.00 |- |{{flagicon|BAN}} 2014||Super 10||7/16||4||1||3||0||0||25.00 |- style="background:silver" |{{flagicon|IND}} 2016||Runners-up||2/16||6||4||2||0||0||66.67 |- style="background:#cc9966 |{{flagicon|UAE}} {{flagicon|Oman}} 2021||Semi-final||4/16||6||4||2||0||0||66.67 |- style="background:Gold" |{{flagicon|AUS}} 2022||'''Champions'''||1/16 ||7||5||1||0||1||83.33 |- style="background:#cc9966 |{{flagicon|WIN}} {{flagicon|USA}} 2024||Semi-final||4/20||8||4||3||0||1||57.14 |- style="background:#cc9966 |{{flagicon|IND}} {{flagicon|SRI}} 2026||Semi-final||4/20||8||6||2||0||0||75.00 |- | {{flagicon|AUS}} {{flagicon|NZL}} 2028 || colspan="9"| ''TBD'' |- | style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} {{flagicon|SCO}} {{flagicon|IRE}} 2030|| colspan='9'| ''Qualified as co-hosts'' |- ! |Total||2 titles||10/10||61||34||24||0||3||59.38 |}

:''*The win percentage excludes no results and counts ties as half a win.''

===Champions Trophy=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !colspan=9|Champions Trophy record |- ! width=200 |Year ! width=150 |Round ! width=50 |Position ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|W|Matches won}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|L|Matches lost}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|T|Matches tied}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|NR|No result}} ! width=50 |Win % |- |{{flagicon|BAN}} 1998||rowspan=2|Quarter-final||5/9||1||0||1||0||0||0.00 |- |{{flagicon|KEN}} 2000||7/11||1||0||1||0||0||0.00 |- |{{flagicon|SRI}} 2002||Pool stage||6/12||2||1||1||0||0||50.00 |- style="background:silver" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} 2004||Runners-up||2/12||4||3||1||0||0||75.00 |- |{{flagicon|IND}} 2006||Pool stage||7/10||3||1||2||0||0||33.33 |- style="background:#cc9966 |{{flagicon|RSA}} 2009||Semi-final||4/8||4||2||2||0||0||50.00 |- style="background:silver" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} 2013||Runners-up||2/8||5||3||2||0||0||60.00 |- style="background:#cc9966" |style="border:2px solid red"|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{flagicon|WAL}} 2017||Semi-final||3/8||4||3||1||0||0||75.00 |- |{{Flagicon|PAK}} {{flagicon|UAE}} 2025||Pool Stage||8/8||3||0||3||0||0||0.00 |- |{{flagicon|India}} 2029||colspan="8"|''TBD'' |- !Total||0 titles||9/9||27||13||14||0||0||48.15 |} :''*The win percentage excludes no results and counts ties as half a win.''

===Other tournaments=== ====Summer Olympics==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !colspan=9|Summer Olympics record |- ! width=200 |Year ! width=150 |Round ! width=50 |Position ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|W|Matches won}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|L|Matches lost}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|T|Matches tied}} ! width=50 |{{Tooltip|NR|No result}} ! width=50 |Win % |- style="background:Gold" |{{flagicon|FRA}} 1900||'''Champions'''||1/2||1||1||0||0||0||100.00 |- ! |Total||1 title||1/1||1||1||0||0||0||100.00 |} : ''*The Summer Olympics Gold medal was won by the Devon and Somerset Wanderers representing Great Britain.'' :''*The win percentage excludes no results and counts ties as half a win.''

==Honours== ===ICC=== '''Titles''' *'''World Cup''' **'''Champions (1):''' 2019 **'''Runners-up (3):''' 1979, 1987, 1992 *'''T20 World Cup''' **'''Champions (2):''' 2010, 2022 **'''Runners-up (1):''' 2016 *'''Champions Trophy''' **'''Runners-up (2):''' 2004, 2013

==Records== {{main|England cricket team record by opponent}}

===Test matches=== {{Main|List of England Test cricket records}}

====Test record versus other nations==== {{#section-h:List of England Test cricket records|Team wins, losses and draws}}

====Test team records==== *Highest team total: '''903–7 dec.''' v. Australia at The Oval in 1938<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/team-highest-innings-totals/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Highest totals by England in Tests}}</ref> *Lowest team total: '''45''' v. Australia at Sydney in 1886/87<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/team-lowest-innings-totals/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Lowest totals by England in Tests}}</ref> *England are the only team in the history of Test cricket to have secured 100 victories by an innings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seervi |first=Bharath |date=11 August 2015 |title=Analysis of England's 100 Test wins by an innings |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/analysis-of-englands-100-test-wins-by-an-innings-316339 |access-date=20 November 2023 |website=Cricket Country |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Test individual records==== *Most matches: '''188 Tests''' – James Anderson<ref>{{citation |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/england/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=1;id=1;type=team |title=Most Test matches playing for England |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222090717/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/england/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=1%3Bid%3D1%3Btype%3Dteam |archive-date=22 December 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> *Longest-serving captain: '''64 Tests''' – Joe Root<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-most-matches-as-captain/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most matches as captain for England in Tests}}</ref>

====Test batting records==== thumb|right|Joe Root, England's all-time leading run scorer in both Tests and ODIs *Most runs: '''13,943''' – Joe Root<ref>{{citation|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;team=1;template=results;type=batting|title=Most Runs for England|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=1 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222090016/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bteam%3D1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting|archive-date=22 December 2011|url-status=live}} Retrieved on 9 December 2024.</ref> *Best average: '''60.73''' – Herbert Sutcliffe<ref>{{citation|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=1;id=1;type=team|title=Highest Batting Averages|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date= 9 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116193617/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=1;id=1;type=team|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=live}} Retrieved on 11 October 2024.</ref> *Highest individual score: '''364''' – Len Hutton v. Australia at The Oval in 1938<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-innings/england-1/test-matches-1|title=High scores for England in Tests}}</ref> *Record partnership: '''454''' – Joe Root and Harry Brook v. Pakistan at Multan in 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fow-highest-partnerships-by-wicket/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Highest partnerships for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most centuries: '''41''' – Joe Root<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-hundreds-career/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most hundreds for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most double centuries: '''7''' – Wally Hammond<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-double-hundreds-career/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most double hundreds in a career for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most ducks: '''39''' – Stuart Broad<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/england/engine/records/batting/most_ducks_career.html?class=1;id=1;type=team |title=Most ducks for England |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=14 June 2021}}</ref>

====Test bowling records==== thumb|upright|James Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket taker in both Tests and ODIs *Most wickets: '''704''' – James Anderson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-most-wickets-career/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most wickets for England in Tests}}</ref> *Best average: '''10.75''' – George Lohmann<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-bowling-average/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Best averages for England in Tests}}</ref> *Best innings bowling: '''10/53''' – Jim Laker v. Australia at Old Trafford in 1956<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-figures-innings/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Best bowling figures in an innings for England in Tests}}</ref> *Best match bowling: '''19/90''' – Jim Laker v. Australia at Old Trafford in 1956<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-figures-match/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Best bowling figures in a match for England in Tests}}</ref> *Best strike rate: '''34.1''' – George Lohmann<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-strike-rate/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Best strike rates for England in Tests}}</ref> *Best economy rate: '''1.31''' – William Attewell<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-economy-rate/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Best economy rates for England in Tests}}</ref> *Five England bowlers have taken four wickets in an over, three of these at Headingley. They were Maurice Allom v. New Zealand at Christchurch in 1929–30, Kenneth Cranston v. South Africa at Headingley in 1947, Fred Titmus v. New Zealand at Headingley in 1965, Chris Old v. Pakistan at Edgbaston in 1978 and Andy Caddick v. West Indies at Headingley in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/18/when-andy-caddick-took-four-test-wickets-for-england-in-a-single-over-the-spin-cricket|title=When Andy Caddick took four Test wickets for England in a single over|work=The Guardian |date=18 August 2020 |last1=Burnton |first1=Simon }}</ref>

====Test fielding records==== *Most catches by an outfielder: '''216''' – Joe Root<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fielding-most-catches-career/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most catches for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most dismissals as wicketkeeper: '''269''' – Alan Knott<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-career/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most dismissals for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most dismissals in an innings: '''7''' – Bob Taylor v. India at Bombay in 1979/80<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-innings/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most dismissals in an innings for England in Tests}}</ref> *Most dismissals in a match: '''11''' – Jack Russell v. South Africa at Johannesburg in 1995/96<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-match/england-1/test-matches-1|title=Most dismissals in a match for England in Tests}}</ref>

===One Day Internationals=== {{Main|List of England One Day International cricket records}}

====ODI record versus other nations==== {{#section-h:List of England One Day International cricket records|Team wins, losses, draws and ties}}

====ODI team records==== *Highest team total: '''498/4''' (50 overs) v. Netherlands at VRA Cricket Ground in 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/17/jos-buttler-unleashes-mayhem-against-dutch-as-england-smash-odi-record|title=Jos Buttler unleashes mayhem against Dutch as England smash ODI record|work=The Guardian |date=17 June 2022 |last1=Aldred |first1=Tanya }}</ref> *Lowest team total: '''86''' (32.4 overs) v. Australia at Old Trafford in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/natwest-series-2001-61088/england-vs-australia-5th-match-66278/full-scorecard|title=5th match ENG v AUS, Manchester, June 14, 2001}}</ref>

====ODI individual records==== *Most matches: '''225''' – Eoin Morgan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-most-matches-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most matches for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Longest-serving captain: '''126 matches''' – Eoin Morgan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_as_captain.html?class=2;id=1;type=team|title=Records / England / One-Day Internationals / Most matches as captain|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=14 September 2020}}</ref>

====ODI batting records==== thumb|right|Eoin Morgan, England's most-capped player in ODIs *Most runs: '''7,577''' – Joe Root<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most runs for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best average: '''55.76''' – Dawid Malan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-highest-career-batting-average/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Highest averages for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best strike rate: '''115.2''' – Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-highest-career-strike-rate/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Highest strike rates for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Highest individual score: '''182''' – Ben Stokes v. New Zealand at The Oval, London in 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-innings/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=High scores for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Record partnership: '''256*''' – Alex Hales and Jason Roy v. Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fow-highest-partnerships-by-wicket/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Highest partnerships for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Most centuries: '''20''' – Joe Root<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-hundreds-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most hundreds for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Most ducks: '''15''' – Eoin Morgan & Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-ducks-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most ducks for England in ODIs}}</ref>

====ODI bowling records==== *Most wickets: '''269''' – James Anderson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-most-wickets-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most wickets for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best average: '''23.61''' – Andrew Flintoff<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-bowling-average/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Best averages for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best bowling: '''6/31''' – Paul Collingwood v. Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-figures-match/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Best bowling figures in a match for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best strike rate: '''30.6''' – Liam Plunkett<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-strike-rate/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Best strike rates for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Best economy rate: '''3.28''' – Bob Willis<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-economy-rate/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Best economy rates for England in ODIs}}</ref>

====ODI fielding records==== *Most catches by an outfielder: '''108''' – Paul Collingwood<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fielding-most-catches-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most catches for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Most dismissals as wicketkeeper: '''271''' – Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-career/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most dismissals for England in ODIs}}</ref> *Most dismissals in a match: '''6''' – Alec Stewart v. Zimbabwe at Old Trafford in 2000; Matt Prior v. South Africa at Trent Bridge in 2008; Jos Buttler v. South Africa at The Oval in 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-match/england-1/one-day-internationals-2|title=Most dismissals in a match for England in ODIs}}</ref>

===T20 Internationals=== {{Main|List of England Twenty20 International cricket records}}

====T20I record versus other nations==== {{#section-h:List of England Twenty20 International cricket records|Team results by opposition}}

====T20I team records==== *Highest team total: '''267/3''' v. West Indies at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/team-highest-innings-totals/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Highest totals by England in T20Is}}</ref> *Lowest team total: '''80''' v. India at Colombo (RPS) in 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/team-lowest-innings-totals/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Lowest totals by England in T20Is}}</ref>

====T20I individual records==== *Most matches: '''153''' – Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-most-matches-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most matches for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Longest-serving captain: '''72 matches''' – Eoin Morgan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-most-matches-as-captain/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most matches as captain for England in T20Is}}</ref>

====T20I batting records====  thumb|right|Jos Buttler, England's all-time leading run scorer in T20Is *Most runs: '''4,012''' – Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most runs for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best average: '''37.9''' – Kevin Pietersen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-highest-career-batting-average/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Highest averages for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best strike rate: '''166.3''' – Phil Salt<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-highest-career-strike-rate/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Highest strike rates for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Highest individual score: '''141*''' – Phil Salt v. West Indies at Tarouba in 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-innings/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=High scores for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Record partnership: '''182''' – Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan v. New Zealand at McLean Park in 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fow-highest-partnerships-for-any-wicket/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Highest partnerships for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Most centuries: '''4''' – Phil Salt<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-hundreds-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most hundreds for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Most ducks: '''9''' – Luke Wright, Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-ducks-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most ducks for England in T20Is}}</ref>

====T20I bowling records==== *Most wickets: '''159''' – Adil Rashid<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-most-wickets-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most wickets for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best average: '''16.8''' – Graeme Swann<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-bowling-average/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Best averages for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best bowling: '''5/10''' – Sam Curran v. Afghanistan at Perth in 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-figures-innings/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Best bowling figures in an innings for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best strike rate: '''14.4''' – Mark Wood<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-strike-rate/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Best strike rates for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Best economy rate: '''6.4''' – Graeme Swann<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/bowling-best-career-economy-rate/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Best economy rates for England in T20Is}}</ref>

====T20I fielding records==== *Most catches by an outfielder: '''48''' – Chris Jordan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/fielding-most-catches-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most catches for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Most dismissals as wicket-keeper: '''95''' – Jos Buttler {{efn|Some sources list Butler with 96 dismissals as keeper}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-career/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most dismissals for England in T20Is}}</ref> *Most dismissals in an innings: '''4''' – Matt Prior v. South Africa at Cape Town in 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/keeping-most-dismissals-innings/england-1/twenty20-internationals-3|title=Most dismissals in an innings for England in T20Is}}</ref>

===Most England appearances=== {{Main|List of England Test cricketers|List of England ODI cricketers|List of England Twenty20 International cricketers}}

These lists show the five players (or those tied for fifth) with the most appearances for England in each form of the game. The lists are correct up to match starting on 24 February 2026.

* '''†''' = players who are available for selection and have represented England in the format during the past 12 months.

{| |style="vertical-align:top"| {| class="wikitable" style="width:275px; margin:1em auto 1em auto" |- !colspan="2"| Most Test caps<ref>{{Cite web |title=England Cricket Team Records & Stats: Most Test matches |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-most-matches-career/england-1/test-matches-1 |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> |- | '''188''' || James Anderson |- | '''167''' || Stuart Broad |- | '''163''' || Joe Root † |- | '''161''' || Alastair Cook |- | '''133''' || Alec Stewart |} |style="vertical-align:top"| {| class="wikitable" style="width:275px; margin:1em auto 1em auto" |- !colspan="2"| Most ODI caps<ref>{{Cite web |title=England Cricket Team Records & Stats: Most One-Day International matches |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=2;id=1;type=team |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> |- | '''225''' || Eoin Morgan |- | '''199''' || Jos Buttler † |- | '''197''' || Paul Collingwood |- | '''194''' || James Anderson |- | '''189''' || Joe Root † |} |style="vertical-align:top"| {| class="wikitable" style="width:275px; margin:1em auto 1em auto" |- !colspan="2"| Most T20I caps<ref>{{Cite web |title=England Cricket Team Records & Stats: Most Twenty20 International matches |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=3;id=1;type=team |access-date=28 January 2025 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> |- | '''153''' || Jos Buttler † |- | '''143''' || Adil Rashid † |- | '''115''' || Eoin Morgan |- | '''95''' || Chris Jordan |- | '''92''' || Moeen Ali |} |}

==Eligibility of players== The England cricket team represents England and Wales. However, under ICC regulations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icc-live.s3.amazonaws.com/cms/media/about_docs/523af0cd4a1db-Player%20Eligibility%20Rules%20-%20effective%2018%20September%202013.pdf|title=The International Cricket Council Player Eligibility Regulations|date=18 September 2013|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721114235/http://icc-live.s3.amazonaws.com/cms/media/about_docs/523af0cd4a1db-Player%20Eligibility%20Rules%20-%20effective%2018%20September%202013.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> players can qualify to play for a country by nationality, place of birth or residence, so (as with any national sports team) some people are eligible to play for more than one team. ECB regulations<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pulse-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ecb/document/2018/03/18/3c8ad1be-06f8-468a-86a3-96e20f2fe00b/FCC_KSL_RegistrationRegs_2018.pdf |title=Regulations Governing the Qualification and Registration of Cricketers |publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=25 August 2021 }}</ref> state that to play for England, a player must be a British citizen, and have either been born in England or Wales, or have lived in England or Wales for three years. This has led to players who also held other nationalities becoming eligible to play for England. The qualification period for those born outside England and Wales has varied in the past, but in November 2018 the ECB announced that the period would be reduced to three years in all circumstances, in line with ICC regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jofra Archer could play for England at World Cup after ECB amend eligibility rules |work=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/jofra-archer-could-play-for-england-at-world-cup-after-ecb-amend-eligibility-rules-1167447 |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129160629/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25407156/jofra-archer-play-england-world-cup-ecb-amend-eligibility-rules |archive-date=29 November 2018}}</ref>

Of the current squad (see above), Brydon Carse was born in South Africa so had to fulfil residency requirements.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 April 2018 |title=The who's who of South Africa's Kolpak brigade |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23129936/the-south-africa-kolpak-brigade |website=ESPNcricinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706164321/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23129936/the-south-africa-kolpak-brigade|archive-date=6 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes have British citizenship, having lived in England since their youth. Jofra Archer, though born in Barbados to a Barbadian mother, qualifies through his English father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/29/jofra-archer-available-england-ecb-eligbility-rules-cricket|title=England accused of poaching after rule change boosts Jofra Archer prospects|work=The Guardian |date=29 November 2018 |last1=Martin |first1=Ali}}</ref> Jacob Bethell was also born in Barbados and moved to England as a teenager to attend Rugby School.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dobell |first=George |date=6 January 2021 |title=Warwickshire teenager signs first professional contract as Caribbean talent drain continues |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/warwickshire-teenager-signs-first-professional-contract-as-caribbean-talent-drain-continues-1246694 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 June 2025}}</ref>

ICC regulations also allow cricketers who represent associate (i.e. non-Test-playing) nations to switch to a Test-playing nation, provided nationality requirements are fulfilled. In recent years, this has seen Irish internationals Ed Joyce, Boyd Rankin and Eoin Morgan switch to represent England (before Ireland were promoted to full member status in 2018), whilst Gavin Hamilton previously played for Scotland – though Joyce, Rankin and Hamilton were later able to re-qualify for and represent the countries of their birth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/398710.html |title=Ireland frustration at Morgan call |author=Will Luke |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=7 April 2009 |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410065920/http://content.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/398710.html |archive-date=10 April 2009 |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 9 April 2009.</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/460770.html|title=Ed Joyce hopes for early Ireland switch|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|author=Staff|date=24 May 2010|access-date=9 November 2010}}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === * {{cite book |last=Waghorn|first=H. T.|author-link=H. T. Waghorn |title=Cricket Scores, Notes, etc. (1730–1773) |year=1899 |publisher=Blackwood}}

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