England return to the Caribbean with one eye on the Champions Trophy
Approximately 12 months ago at this time, England were in India for the 2023 ODI World Cup which was easily their most embarrassing tournament in the format since the 2015 World Cup. If that tournament gave a hint that transition was due in their white-ball cricket, the 2024 T20 World Cup format gave a stronger argument for that process to be initiated. A first step in that direction was seen at home this summer during the white-ball series against Australia. This trip to West Indies is another opportunity for England as they look to build towards the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Jos Buttler's last-minute exit due to unsatisfactory progress in his rehab means that Liam Livingstone is poised for his first stint as England captain. The squad has a more familiar feel to it when compared to the white-ball series against Australia last month. The three fresh faces in that regard are Rehan Ahmed, Michael-Kyle Pepper and Jafer Chohan. All-rounder Sam Curran is also back in the ODI format after having been ignored for the Australia series. While Chohan and Ahmed are potent additions in the wrist spin department, England will be curious to see if they have the temperament to succeed Adil Rashid in the long run.
Pepper's inclusion is more on his unorthodox gameplay that has made heads turn whenever he has clicked, be it in the T20 Blast or in The Hundred. He could potentially be in line to open with Phil Salt as England continue to explore their batting depth. With Harry Brook and Jamie Smith being rested for this tour, it is an opportunity for England's fringes to stake a claim into the first-choice setup. The challenge will equally be there for Livingstone who is eager to cement his ODI future after having been in and out of the side in recent years.
For West Indies, it is a continued battle of getting the right tempo to batting in this format. Given their natural inclination for a T20 methodology, the batters have often been guilty of not stepping up in terms of temperament. The recent series in Sri Lanka was a great example of this. Barring Sherfane Rutherford, none of the batters put up a fight in the first two ODIs of the series which West Indies lost comprehensively. The final game of the series was marred by rain and West Indies were eventually set a 23-over chase which they aced with an over to spare.
Their inconsistencies in the longer formats are well documented but the Caribbean stars are known to raise their game against England, especially in home conditions. The two teams battled in West Indies last year in December for a hard-fought series that England won by a narrow 2-1 margin. Shai Hope will once again be the glue around which West Indies' batting revolves but the way Rutherford has adapted himself to the format will boost the morale in the hosts' camp.
Shimron Hetmyer makes a comeback in this series and that further bolsters West Indies' line-up that also has an efficient bowling line-up for these conditions. A lot would also boil down to the kind of pitches that would be on show for this series. Despite plenty of experience in West Indies' ranks as opposed to England's rookie-filled squad, it is tough to give either team the favourites tag.
@B0$: Thursday, October 31, 14:00 local time, 23:30 IST
@B1$: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
@B2$: The highest-ever total at the venue batting first is 325 which was coincidentally made by England in the last series between the two teams in December 2023. It was also successfully chased down by West Indies. That game apart, the venue hasn't been quick-scoring and hasn't witnessed big totals. Scores in the 275-300 range have been competitive and the trend should continue.
@B3$@I0$
@B4$
WIll Jacks' success at No.3 in the Australia series means that he could stick to that slot and that means a potential debut for Michael-Kyle Pepper at the top of the order. Sam Curran in his comeback series is expected to be back in the XI.
@B5$Philip Salt(wk), Michael-Kyle Pepper, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone(c), Dan Mousley, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.
@B6$
Keacy Carty who endured a rough series in Sri Lanka, could make way as Shimron Hetmyer slots back into the XI. The think tank might also ponder over playing an extra spinner in Hayden Walsh.
@B7$Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shai Hope(wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Hayden Walsh/Jayden Seales