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On Thursday, Harry Brook characterized his squad's arrangements for their last ODI series versus the Proteas as "a bit of a shambles," and the same phrase might apply to many of their recent performances in the format – as well as a tour of Aotearoa that has to date featured a single finished T20 and two washouts.

England's series with the South African team started under 48 hours after the Hundred tournament finale, the team gathering at Headingley similar to a leaky faucet might fill a bath: annoyingly gradual. "I don't think we even got a training session in together," the captain remembered. The team's display in the first game was equally disorganized as had been their gathering.

But the sporting truism is that a team is judged by your most recent outing and, in their latest ODI, England scored 414 against the South Africans in the Hampshire city, and triumphed by more than 340 runs. "We can take that game and if we play like that we're going to be a extremely competitive side," Brook said. "Carry the positive energy we gained from that encounter into this contest and we'll be absolutely okay." Considering this the team travelled from the City of Sails to Mount Maunganui, where they play the opening fixture versus the Black Caps on the weekend, with an perspective as optimistic as – thankfully – the weekend weather forecast.

Settled Batting Lineup Back in Action

Jamie Smith, the left-handed opener and Joe Root, who have comprised the English top order in each match since their global tournament participation ended in group-stage elimination and the former skipper's resignation as skipper, arrived in Auckland on midweek and are prepared to reclaim their roles. But the absence of the pace bowler, whose late travel in the host nation means he will not make his first appearance until next week's following match in Seddon Park, may create the opportunity for the left-arm seamer to earn what would be his first List A appearance in 24 months, his third outing of this decade and only the seventh of his career.

"Yeah, I don't think I've featured in an ODI in … well, I've not played a large number," commented. "I'd welcome the chance to continue playing and maybe try to find a comparable position to the T20s. It's unclear what the lineup is going to be but with luck I'll retain my place and make a positive start."

The Seamer's International Comeback

After nearly two years away from the international side the bowler, who is 30, has appeared in nine of England's 11 T20s since the new captain took over as limited-overs leader, and is now seeking to further cement his place in the setup.

"It was challenging when I was out of it, and when the summons came this season it was likely a somewhat unexpected," he remarked. "I'm no longer the most junior member nowadays so part of me felt the chance had gone, but there's always that flicker of optimism in the back of your mind. However I did think I was skilled enough to succeed. I've tried to treat it differently to last time. Before I placed a lot of pressure on myself to perform, whereas this time I'm simply aiming to enjoy it."

Other Absentees and Spin Options

The other absentee from what appeared in recent months to be a established preferred lineup is Will Jacks, who fractured a finger during the T20 series against South Africa and is continuing rehabilitation, and focusing on being fit for the Ashes. Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed are the available substitutes should the tourists choose to go into the series with their current balance of three slower bowlers and three pace options.

The Hosts' 50-Over Comeback

Regarding New Zealand, since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy – at which they advanced to the championship match, where they were defeated to the Indian team – and with attention very much moved towards next year's T20 World Cup, ODIs have slipped back to their customary lowest priority on the list of international cricket concerns and the Black Caps have gone more than six months without attempting one.

But their recent record in the 50-over game – they were placed No 2 in the global rankings before the Aussies overtook them with their victories over the subcontinent side recently – means its resumption will be welcomed, as shall that of the star batsman, who for a range of factors has not played for his national team since the tournament decider and missed the short-format games with an unspecified "small health concern."