New Delhi: England have announced the playing XI on the eve of the first one-day international against the West Indies at Edgbaston. In what will be Harry Brook’s first ODI since being named the new white-ball captain, England have promoted Jamie Smith to open the batting.
The three-match series serves as an opportunity for England to take the first step towards their revival in white-ball cricket.
The 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 world champions are in the middle of one of the worst phases in their limited-overs cricket history, having lost their past seven ODIs, which also included the disastrous Champions Trophy campaign. The Three Lions were dumped out of the tournament after losing their first two fixtures – against Australia and Afghanistan.
Smith, who batted at number three during England’s horror CT campaign, has never opened in List A cricket but will get the taste of opening the innings alongside Ben Duckett. In three innings in CT, Smith averaged only eight.
26-year-old Brook revealed that promoting Smith to the top order was a combined decision between himself and coach Brendon McCullum.
Smith has the experience of opening in first-class (red-ball) and T20 cricket.
IPL returnees picked in playing XI
England have included former skipper Jos Buttler, all-rounders Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks in the side after the trio returned from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Buttler (Gujarat Titans), Bethell (RCB) and Jacks (MI) flew back home after the conclusion of the league stage and before the beginning of the playoffs, starting on May 29, Thursday.
The teams of all three players are featuring in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Jacks, a regular white-ball opener who was used as a number three batter by MI in IPL 2025, is, surprisingly, listed at seven, one place below fellow spin-bowling all-rounder Bethell.
Jamie Overton, who featured in a few games for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Brydon Carse and Saqib Mahmood are the three frontline fast bowlers in the side.
Pace trio Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are missing because of injuries.
England’s playing XI for the 1st ODI vs West Indies:
Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid.
England and West Indies lock horns in a three-match ODI series, starting at Edgbaston on May 29, Thursday. On the eve of the match, the home side has announced their playing XI. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
