Follow England’s first ODI squad in their multi-format series against West Indies. From superstars to new storylines, the team is an eclectic blend of established veterans and rising stars. The team will be captained by Harry Brook, who also captains the England T20 side. This selection includes five players currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), underscoring the influence of the high-profile tournament on English cricket.
The 16-man ODI squad features notable names such as Jos Buttler, who has been in remarkable form in the IPL, scoring 500 runs—the highest by an overseas player. Other crucial pieces of the puzzle include Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton and Jacob Bethell. Completing the group are Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and Jamie Smith. Buttler’s performance in the IPL has drawn significant attention and raises expectations for his contributions to the national team.
In spite of the strength of the squad, the absence of opener Phil Salt and all-rounder Liam Livingstone are both glaring omissions. Both players have been among England’s most important players in their recent success, however will miss out on this series entirely. On the other hand, Brydon Carse is back in the ODI setup after spending more than a year away from the international scene.
With Tom Hartley rejoining the England party, it is the first time since last June’s T20 World Cup that he has done so. His inclusion is a further sign of England’s attempts to shore up their spin options before important games. Yet the challenge before the team is daunting as they are currently ranked eighth in the world. They are only a rung above the West Indies, who currently occupy ninth place. With the qualification cut-off for the 2027 World Cup fast approaching, England’s route looks set to be a tricky one.
In response, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made it clear that their primary role was to support IPL players commercially, but balance this with fulfilling national commitments.
“We’re keen to support the IPL and the BCCI in getting the schedule up and running, and to facilitate players’ return should they choose to go back.” – ECB
The ECB continues to do a huge amount of work alongside the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). They are all primarily interested in creating player availability when schedules conflict.
England’s T20 side is similarly under Brook’s captaincy. This squad includes Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, and Luke Wood. The players juggling the dual demands between formats further highlight how much wider the talent pool is in English cricket.
The upcoming ODI series against West Indies will serve as a critical opportunity for England to solidify their position and gain momentum as they prepare for future challenges. They are motivated by a desire to move up in international rankings. In order to do this they’ll look to continue to get the best out of the likes of Buttler and Archer.
The situation surrounding player availability remains fluid. The ECB are in close contact with the IPL, as well as all developments regarding international fixtures.
“No Objection Certificates have been granted based on the original IPL dates, so we’ll need to review any potential extensions, particularly in relation to any clash with the final white-ball squad. We’ll continue to work closely with the BCCI and the IPL as the situation develops.” – ECB
This kind of forward-planning reflects the ECB’s awareness of how the player-funding juggle can be tricky to navigate. They understand that players frequently make many tournament appearances.
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