Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes England need to strengthen their pace attack if they are to challenge for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup following another disappointing one-day defeat to India.
England slipped to a six-wicket loss in the opening ODI at Edgbaston, extending a worrying run that has seen them lose 14 of their last 20 matches in the format.
The result leaves them eighth in the ICC ODI rankings, below Afghanistan, despite recently climbing to the top of the T20 international rankings.
Broad believes the current squad lacks the right balance, particularly in the bowling department.
"England are eighth in the world rankings and are playing like they are eighth," Broad said on Sky Sports.
"They need to get more experience into the roles of the players."
Captain Harry Brook selected five spin options against India but relied on only three seamers, forcing Jofra Archer to shoulder a heavy workload during the early stages of India's innings.
Although Liam Dawson justified his selection with a career-best 68, sharing a 121-run partnership with Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 76, Broad feels England need greater pace resources, especially with conditions at the next World Cup likely to favour fast bowlers.
Broad identifies key area for improvement
England posted 258 after recovering from 80-5, but India's chase was anchored by captain Shubman Gill, who struck an outstanding 80 before retiring hurt. Archer, Josh Tongue and leg-spinner Adil Rashid were the main wicket-taking threats, something Broad believes must change.
"After defeat at Edgbaston, there might be a shift in mindset towards playing another seamer," he said.
"Looking ahead to the next World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, it's going to be the faster, taller bowlers who do the damage there."
Broad singled out Archer as England's premier white-ball bowler while praising Tongue and Rashid for their wicket-taking ability. However, he argued the attack lacks another genuine pace option capable of making breakthroughs during the middle overs.
"I look at Archer, he's a natural wicket-taker, the best white-ball bowler we have. Tongue can take wickets. Rashid can take wickets. But I feel England need one more fast bowler to back up that group."
He suggested Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson or Saqib Mahmood could fill that role and urged England to begin giving them more opportunities before the World Cup.
"England need someone to come through in the middle overs, bowl bouncers and seamers, and take the outside edge, so they don't have to go to Archer all the time.
"Could that be Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson or Saqib Mahmood? England need to start trialling that now."
England will have an immediate chance to respond when they face India in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday.
