WI vs ENG: ODI series – 5 players to watch out for

After a disastrous World Cup campaign, 2019 champions England are back in action as they tour West Indies for a white-ball series beginning with the one-day internationals. The first of the three-match ODI series will take place on Sunday, December 3. A few of the World Cup squad members from the England team are part of the Caribbean tour and will look at some of those who can make an impact in this short series.

Let’s take a look at the 5 Players to watch out for in the West Indies-England ODI series:

1. Harry Brook

Youngster Harry Brook was part of England’s horrendous World Cup campaign recently. The right-handed batter managed to score more runs than his captain Jos Buttler, and all-rounders Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone. The 24-year-old is an exciting prospect who has proved his class in the longest format of the game. Brook has appeared in 12 ODIs so far in which he has amassed 292 runs at an average of 25, which includes two half-centuries. He will look to handle the middle order and cement his place in the one-day side.

2. Jos Buttler

Skipper Jos Buttler had a terrible World Cup by all standards. The right-handed middle-order player scored only 138 runs in nine outings at a poor average of 15.33. Buttler failed to hit a single half-century in the campaign with his highest score being 43 against New Zealand in the opening fixture of the marquee tournament. Approaching 5000 runs in the format, Buttler has racked up 4961 runs in 151 ODI innings at an average of 40. He has 11 hundred and 25 fifties to his name. Buttler will look to lead his side from the front by getting back into his usual best.

3. Shai Hope

West Indies captain Shai Hope loves playing the 50-over format. The right-hander has been a prolific and consistent batter for his team in this format for some years now. The 30-year-old made his format in one-day internationals against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2016. Since then, Hope has 118 matches and has managed to amass 4940 runs at a solid average of 50.40. In 113 innings, Hope has smashed 15 centuries and 24 half-centuries with the highest score of 170.

4. Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett is a regular member of the Test side for England. The 29-year-old left-handed batter has been allowed to prove his worth in the 50-over format now. His opening partner Zak Crawley is also a part of the ODI squad. Duckett has played only eight ODIs in his career so far having made his debut against Bangladesh in 2016. He has scored 301 runs at an average of 43 which includes one century and two half-centuries. Duckett will look to grab his chance and get amongst the runs in three games.

5. Alzarri Joseph

Pacer Alzarri Joseph will lead this inexperienced bowling attack for the Caribbean side. The right-arm seamer made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2016. Joseph has played 63 games and has snared 104 scalps at an average of 27.69 and a strike rate of 31.2. He has picked up four wickets in an innings four times and five wickets once in his ODI career so far. Joseph is the leading wicket-taker for his team in the ODI format since 2022 with 44 wickets under his belt.