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• Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran were dependable, too
  
  
  
  Several fringe players are electing to skip the tour for financial or family reasons so there is plenty of opportunity for those travelling
  
  Brook, in particular, did his chances going forward no harm, while it was heartening to see Jofra Archer back in an England shirt after 22 months away
  
  Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone were all unavailable, with Ben Duckett and Harry Brook thrown in at the coalface
  
  In England’s last two World Cup finals Stokes has been the batting linchpin and gotten his side over the line by hook or by crook
  
  With just a few months to go until they defend their World Cup title in India in the autumn, we look at their prospects
  
  Archer reminded everyone what he is capable of in the same match with six for 40 helping England end a five-match losing streak and Olly Stone bowled at high pace and looked menacing in the middle overs
  
  How are England shaping up for the World Cup?It is, of course, too early to tell but next month’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh – where the pitches could resemble India’s – may offer some clues
  
  He may reverse his ODI retirement ahead of the World Cup – and he would be welcomed back with open arms by Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott
  
  Jason Roy returned to form with a century – although he followed that up with two single-figure scores
  
  Twin defeats in Bloemfontein meant victory in Kimberley was a mere consolation for double world champions England, who have now gone four ODI series without a win
  
  Scheduling conflicts and injuries meant England were unable to summon their best XI – a recurring theme since their 2019 World Cup win
  
  But, as it stands, he is simply unavailable in the format because of increasing demands on his time
  
  Do England need Ben Stokes back for the World Cup?The short answer is: yes
  
  How did the players rate?Jason Roy: 7, Dawid Malan: 8, Ben Duckett: 4, Harry Brook: 6, Jos Buttler: 9, Moeen Ali: 7, Sam Curran: 7, David Willey: 5, Chris Woakes: 5, Adil Rashid: 7, Olly Stone: 7, Jofra Archer: 8, Reece Topley: 4
  
  England finished the standalone ODI series against South Africa with a flourish but the Proteas had the last laugh by claiming a 2-1 victory
  
  Is it all doom and gloom?RecommendedCharity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aideUkraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow liveNo
  
  They are England’s last ODI fixtures until September, when they will be putting the finishing touches to their squad
  
  But had Stokes been available in ODIs, it is unlikely he would have made the trip to South Africa because of the close proximity to the New Zealand Test series, which starts in a couple of weeks
  
  He is likely to get better and better if he stays fit
  
  Dawid Malan might be putting pressure on Roy after tonning up alongside Jos Buttler, rescuing England from 14 for three on Wednesday
  
  Any positives from this series?Plenty
  
  
  
  He may reverse his ODI retirement ahead of the World Cup – and he would be welcomed back with open arms by Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott
  
  Several fringe players are electing to skip the tour for financial or family reasons so there is plenty of opportunity for those travelling
  
  But, as it stands, he is simply unavailable in the format because of increasing demands on his time
  
  They are England’s last ODI fixtures until September, when they will be putting the finishing touches to their squad
  
  Scheduling conflicts and injuries meant England were unable to summon their best XI – a recurring theme since their 2019 World Cup win
  
  How are England shaping up for the World Cup?It is, of course, too early to tell but next month’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh – where the pitches could resemble India’s – may offer some clues
  
  Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone were all unavailable, with Ben Duckett and Harry Brook thrown in at the coalface
  
  How did the players rate?Jason Roy: 7, Dawid Malan: 8, Ben Duckett: 4, Harry Brook: 6, Jos Buttler: 9, Moeen Ali: 7, Sam Curran: 7, David Willey: 5, Chris Woakes: 5, Adil Rashid: 7, Olly Stone: 7, Jofra Archer: 8, Reece Topley: 4
  
  Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran were dependable, too
  
  Jason Roy returned to form with a century – although he followed that up with two single-figure scores
  
  Do England need Ben Stokes back for the World Cup?The short answer is: yes
  
  Any positives from this series?Plenty
  
  Twin defeats in Bloemfontein meant victory in Kimberley was a mere consolation for double world champions England, who have now gone four ODI series without a win
  
  Archer reminded everyone what he is capable of in the same match with six for 40 helping England end a five-match losing streak and Olly Stone bowled at high pace and looked menacing in the middle overs
  
  Is it all doom and gloom?RecommendedCharity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aideUkraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow liveNo
  
  Dawid Malan might be putting pressure on Roy after tonning up alongside Jos Buttler, rescuing England from 14 for three on Wednesday
  
  In England’s last two World Cup finals Stokes has been the batting linchpin and gotten his side over the line by hook or by crook
  
  But had Stokes been available in ODIs, it is unlikely he would have made the trip to South Africa because of the close proximity to the New Zealand Test series, which starts in a couple of weeks
  
  
  
  England finished the standalone ODI series against South Africa with a flourish but the Proteas had the last laugh by claiming a 2-1 victory
  
  He is likely to get better and better if he stays fit
  
  With just a few months to go until they defend their World Cup title in India in the autumn, we look at their prospects
  
  Brook, in particular, did his chances going forward no harm, while it was heartening to see Jofra Archer back in an England shirt after 22 months away