West Indies won the toss and chose to play first against England
Shai Hope won the toss on an overcast day in Antigua and elected to bowl in the first ODI against England, against a revamped opposition that will feature two new international players in John Turner and Dan Mousley, as well as two 50-overs. debutants Jamie Overton and Jordan Cox.
The match will also feature the captaincy debut of Liam Livingstone, who replaces the injured Jos Buttler, and with Harry Brook among the players who will miss this tour due to the proximity of Pakistan and New Zealand’s Test tours either side of this campaign.
“It’s an incredibly proud day,” Livingstone said at the draw. “It’s a group of kids getting their opportunities, and that’s what it’s all about. We’re excited for what’s to come in the next few weeks.”
For Turner, his chance comes more than 12 months after he first attracted the attention of England selectors, particularly during the 2023 hundred-man. Injuries have hampered his opportunities but he has been given his chance in an attacking of four men, ahead of Reece Topley and alongside Sam Curran, Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton.
Mousley was not used during Australia’s one-day series in September, but his inclusion, alongside Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Livingstone himself, gives England four all-round spin options, to support Adil’s frontline spin. Rasheed.
Cox, meanwhile, is scheduled to bat at No. 3 as he begins a string of opportunities that will culminate in three Tests as Jamie Smith’s backup in New Zealand next month. Overton, meanwhile, will be available to bowl after playing as a batsman only on his T20I debut against Australia last month.
The West Indies, who returned from their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this week, made one change from the team that won the last match of the series which they lost 2-1. Shimron Hetmyer slots into the middle order, replacing Jewel Andrew, the 17-year-old who debuted in Kandy on Saturday.
West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (captain and week), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Gudakesh Motie, 10 Matthew Forde, 11 Jayden Seales
England: 1 Phil Salt (week), 2 Will Jacks, 3 Jordan Cox, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Liam Livingstone (captain), 6 Dan Mousley, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 John Turner
