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On Thursday, Harry Brook described his squad's arrangements for their previous One-Day International series against South Africa as "somewhat chaotic," and the same phrase could be used to numerous of their latest performances in the format – and for that matter a tour of New Zealand that has to date featured a single finished T20 and a pair of rain-offs.

England's series with the South African team started under 48 hours following the Hundred tournament finale, the team gathering at the Leeds ground much as a leaky faucet might fill a bathtub: irritatingly slowly. "I don't think we even got a practice in together," Brook recalled. England's performance in the opening match was as shambolic as was their assembly.

However the sporting truism is that a team is judged by your most recent outing and, in their most recent ODI, England scored 414 against the Proteas in Southampton, and won by 342. "We can take that match and if we perform like that we're going to be a extremely competitive team," stated. "Carry the positive energy we got from that game into this contest and we'll be just fine." Considering this the squad journeyed from Auckland to Mount Maunganui, where they play the first match versus the New Zealand on Sunday, with an perspective as sunny as – thankfully – the predicted conditions.

Settled Batting Lineup Back in Action

Jamie Smith, the left-handed opener and Joe Root, who have comprised the English leading batsmen in all six games since their Champions Trophy participation ended in group-stage elimination and the former skipper's stepping down as captain, landed in Auckland on Wednesday and are prepared to resume their roles. Yet the absence of Jofra Archer, whose delayed arrival in New Zealand means he won't feature in his first appearance until Wednesday's second fixture in Hamilton, may create the opportunity for the left-arm seamer to make what would be his maiden 50-over game in 24 months, his third of the 2020s and only the seventh of his career.

"Yes, I don't think I've played an ODI in … actually, I've not played a heap," Wood said. "I'd welcome the chance to keep featuring and maybe aim for a similar role to the T20s. It's unclear what the lineup is going to be but hopefully I'll keep my spot and make a positive start."

The Seamer's Global Return

Following nearly 24 months out of the international side Wood, who is thirty, has played nine matches of the English eleven T20 internationals since the new captain took over as limited-overs leader, and is now seeking to solidify his position in the squad.

"It was challenging when I was not selected, and when the summons came this summer it was probably a bit of a surprise," he said. "I'm no longer the most junior member any more so to some extent believed the opportunity had gone, but there's constantly that flicker of optimism in the back of your mind. However I did think I was skilled enough to do it. I've attempted to treat it differently to last time. Before I placed a lot of expectation on myself to do well, whereas this time I'm just trying to savor the experience."

Other Absentees and Spin Options

Another unavailable player from what appeared over the summer to be a established preferred lineup is Will Jacks, who broke a digit during the short-format contest against South Africa and is still recovering, and concentrating on being fit for the Ashes. Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed are the ready replacements if the tourists choose to go into the competition with their current mix of three spin and three pace choices.

New Zealand's ODI Comeback

Regarding the Black Caps, since the end of the ICC tournament – at which they reached the championship match, where they were defeated to India – and with attention very much moved towards February's T20 World Cup, ODIs have slipped back to their customary lowest priority on the list of global cricketing concerns and the Black Caps have passed more than six months without playing one.

However their recent record in the format – they were ranked second in the world before the Aussies leapfrogged them with their wins over India this week – means its resumption will be embraced, as shall that of Kane Williamson, who for a variety of reasons has not played for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final and missed the T20s with an undisclosed "small health concern."