England have never been in such a strong position a year before a World Cup while Australia, five times winners and current holders, have never been in a worse state.

While Eoin Morgan could probably hand in his team sheet now for the opening World Cup match on May 30, 2018, such is the solidity around England’s line up, his opposite number, Tim Paine, is not even certain of being at the competition himself, let alone close to knowing his preferred XI.

Paine has only been appointed for this series and regained his place in the ODI side in January after nearly seven years in the wilderness. A year ago he was close to retirement and taking up a job with Kookaburra before fate intervened and catapulted him into one of the most prestigious positions in sport.

Australia’s batting line up was unsettled even before the ball-tampering bans for Steve Smith and David Warner. Cameron White, at 35, was recalled for the England series in the winter but dropped after three games and Smith and Warner are the only two Australians in the top 20 run scorers since the last World Cup, contributing 14 of the 23 hundreds their batsmen have made in that time.