After what had been a dismal showing at the Cricket World Cup, supporters of England had been promised a one-day international revolution by new director Andrew Strauss.
Understandably, there was plenty of caution and apprehension among the faithful ahead of yesterday's 50-over clash with World Cup finalists New Zealand at Edgbaston, but to England's credit, they delivered the goods.
In posting 408-9, the hosts recorded their highest ever ODI score, thanks in part to 14 sixes - the most that England have ever scored in an innings. Add to that a world record seventh-wicket stand and the highest score from a number six batsman and all of sudden, there is optimism around the England cricket team once again.
It was all too much for the touring Kiwis, who fell some 210 runs short of their victory target, handing England their greatest ODI winning margin of all time in the process.
Here, Sports Mole has picked out the five England players that made the difference on this occasion.
1. Joe Root
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The Yorkshireman was probably not even properly padded up when opener Jason Roy went for a first-ball duck. Yet, despite the threat of yet another England batting implosion looming large, Root was positive from the moment he reached the middle. His 104 of just 78 deliveries, which featured 13 fours and two sixes, was the fourth-fastest ODI century from an England player. With the speed of his hands and an ability to hit all around the wicket, on current form there are not many better batsman in the world than the 24-year-old.
2. Eoin Morgan
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With such intense pressure on him following a sticky period, Test captain Alastair Cook finally put some much-needed runs on the board during the recent tour of the West Indies and the home series against the Kiwis. The same was required of ODI skipper Morgan, who but for a 121 scored against Australia in January, had been struggling badly. Aside from that display against the Aussies, the 28-year-old's previous 11 contributions read: 5, 0, 4, 0, 2, 0, 0, 17, 46, 27 and 0. While his 50 yesterday may not have been a breathtaking score, the way that he built his innings, with great freedom, showed signs that Morgan is close to rediscovering the form that once made him one of the format's most feared batsmen.
3. Jos Buttler
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Brendon McCullum, along with his Australian counterpart Michael Clarke, is widely regarded to be one of the game's most proactive captains. Yet, he ran out of ideas where Buttler was concerned. Taking advantage of the foundation that had been laid down by Root, Buttler went to town on the New Zealand bowlers. The fastest ODI century by an English batsman was an accolade that already belonged to the 24-year-old after his performance against Sri Lanka last year and now so does second place, having reached three figures in 66 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 129, having fired 13 fours and five sixes. He came in with England 202-6 and departed on 379-7 - a match-defining impact if ever there was one.
4. Adil Rashid
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There had been suggestions that Rashid was overlooked in the Caribbean because he had been struggling to pitch the ball, but he made a mockery of that speculation. Before he got the ball in his hand, though, the 27-year-old did his fair share of work alongside Buttler to break the world record for a seventh-wicket partnership, which was worth 177 runs. Then, having taken on the spin-bowling responsibilities, after he was chipped down the ground for four early on by Kane Williamson, Rashid retained his composure. He eventually ended with figures of 4-55, which considering his batting display, would have probably earned him the Man of the Match award had it not been for Buttler's heroics. He has been quick to stress that he has matured, both as a player and a person, since his debut in 2009 and on this evidence, it's hard to argue against that viewpoint.
5. Steven Finn
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When England faced the Kiwis at the World Cup, Finn was left humiliated. In a two-over period, the paceman went for 49 runs, which included six sixes struck off the bat of the big-hitting McCullum. On this occasion, Finn got his revenge when he bowled the captain for just 11, immediately putting the visitors on the back foot. The 26-year-old's celebration showed just how much that wicket meant to the Middlesex bowler. He then went on to claim the wickets of the dangerous Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Nathan McCullum, which saw him end with figures of 4-35 from just seven overs. Finn has been on the receiving end of some questionable management under previous regimes, but he will be hoping that under the incoming Trevor Bayliss, he will be given the chance to finally fulfil his undoubted potential, both at Test and ODI levels.
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