But in Antigua, players picked largely on their T20 prowess were reminded of an enduring truth: the tempos and rhythms of 50-over cricket are very different. England lacked the deftness to be able to score briskly while eschewing risk. Instead, a pattern emerged: batsmen stagnating, their strike rates slowing as they attacked with more gusto, and then succumbing when hitting out in desperation. The top three – Phil Salt, Will Jacks and debutant Jordan Cox – scored 18, 19 and 17 respectively, yet took 29, 27 and 31 balls to do so.

It highlighted the dangers of England’s approach to assembling their squad for this series. In the absence of their multi-format stars, England have unabashedly embraced youth, even if doing so necessitates fielding an imbalanced team: Cox was the lone specialist batsman that England picked, with the middle order of Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran all batting higher than normal.

The trio all showed glimpses of their qualities – Bethell played consecutive sumptuous swivel-pulls off Akzarri Joseph, and Livingstone scored quicker than any of his teammates – but did not approach the substantive innings that England required. Rarely is an ODI won with a top score as low as the 48 that Livingstone scored.

While England’s decision to invest opportunity in those closest to the first-choice side is understandable, the sense remains that the side would benefit from more experience. James Vince, for instance, could have provided the solidity and nous that Root and Morgan once did. He could also benefit the young players by giving them experience in a winning side. Since the start of last year’s World Cup, England have now lost 12 out of 18 ODIs.

It does not add up to the most hospitable environment to welcome new talent. In Antigua, the debutants only mustered a combined 27 runs between them, although number 11 John Turner was unbeaten. Before him, Cox miscued a shovel across the line, Dan Mousley picked out midwicket slog-sweeping into the wind and Jamie Overton succumbed lbw trying to paddle sweep his first ball. Turner’s lively new ball spell provided some evidence for England’s faith. But England now crave a more tangible return on trusting in a new white-ball generation: the hard currency of international victories.