England's early exit from the Cricket World Cup has prompted Moeen Ali to suggest that it might mark the conclusion of a golden era for the 2019 champions.
He openly admitted that their performance in India had not met the required standard.
A series of disappointing defeats, including a 33-run loss to Australia in Ahmedabad, crushed England's hopes of reaching the semi-finals, positioning them at the bottom of the 10-team standings. The tournament started poorly with a loss to New Zealand, and their only win was against Bangladesh in what turned out to be a disastrous campaign.
The majority of the team's players are in their 30s and are unlikely to participate in the next World Cup, scheduled for 2027. England faces a period of rebuilding.
When asked if this marked the end of a great 50-over team, the 36-year-old all-rounder Moeen responded with a sombre "Yeah, maybe."
England, captained by Jos Buttler and coached by Matthew Mott, entered the tournament as one of the favourites but struggled significantly, experiencing multiple batting collapses. Their lack of runs and confidence, particularly in Indian conditions, proved to be their downfall.
While their bowling improved in the latter stages of the competition, England's inability to capitalise on opportunities left them at the bottom of the table with just two points.
Moeen drew parallels with the 2015 World Cup when Bangladesh knocked England out, highlighting the potential for rebuilding and future success, as they did in 2019's historic World Cup win and the subsequent T20 World Cup victory in Australia.
Looking ahead, Moeen expressed optimism for the future, emphasising the emergence of promising talents. Despite the disappointment of the current squad, he acknowledged that anything can happen in the four years leading up to the next World Cup.
Although many of England's current stars may not feature in the 2027 edition, players like Harry Brook offer hope for the team's resurgence. Moeen also stressed the importance of mental health support within the team, emphasising their close-knit and supportive environment during challenging times.
