Bowlers the problem for England, says Trevor Bayliss

After topping 300 in all three one-dayers, England could rightly consider their consolation victory at Eden Gardens deserved indeed.

And yet, for all their belligerence with the bat, the series also exposed deficiencies in the bowling attack.

In the first two matches, India recovered from precarious positions to post over 350. Even in the victory at Kolkata yesterday, England’s attack were inconsistent in conceding 316 for nine.

“We consistently talk about not giving easy boundaries; make them play a good shot. That’s an area we could be better at,” said England head coach Trevor Bayliss. “We’ve pretty much got the best available batters for the Champions Trophy. The bowling was a little disappointing over these three games. The guys would be the first to admit that.”

The underwhelming bowling performances, at least until Chris Woakes’s immaculate final four deliveries sealed victory yesterday, suggested that there remains scope for players outside the squad to break in before the Champions Trophy in June.

No bowler went at less than six an over, with Woakes’s economy rate of 6.39 the best of any seamer.

Stuart Broad, who impressed Eoin Morgan in the Big Bash League, and Steven Finn are among those who will hope for recalls for the squad to tour the West Indies next month.

The three ODIs there will be the last that England play before naming their Champions Trophy squad at the end of April. Bayliss added: “There’s probably two or three guys on the outside looking to get back in.

“There’s no reason why they can’t be our bowlers in the Champions Trophy but we’ll be looking to take our best team. If some guys are in form and out of form, we’ll wait as long as possible to make that decision.”

Given that he was England’s leading ODI wicket-taker in 2016, it was curious that Adil Rashid was omitted for the final two ODIs, suggesting that he is no longer an automatic selection.

Another bowler, left-arm pacer David Willey, is unlikely to play again this tour. After two zesty overs, which included the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane bowled with a late-swinging yorker, Willey injured his left shoulder.

He had a scan on the discomfort before England flew out of Kolkata.