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RCB Star Will Jacks To Open With Phil Salt; England's Probable Playing XI For 1st ODI Vs West Indies

Debashis Sarangi

Phil Salt will open the batting with Will Jacks [Source: @ICC, @TheBarmyArmy/X]Phil Salt will open the batting with Will Jacks [Source: @ICC, @TheBarmyArmy/X]

After a heartbreaking Test series defeat against Pakistan, England are gearing up to take on West Indies in a three-match ODI series in the Caribbean. The inaugural match of the high-voltage series is all set to be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. 

The visiting side will miss their regular skipper Jos Buttler, who has been sidelined with a calf injury. Ace all-rounder Liam Livingstone will lead the Englishmen in Buttler's absence. 

Will Jacks, Phil Salt To Spearhead English Top Order

Regarding England's potential playing XI, the destructive duo of Will Jacks and Phil Salt will open the batting for the visitors in the series opener in Antigua. While Salt is one of the fearsome batters in white-ball cricket, the all-round excellence of Will Jacks could be handy for England in Antigua. Meanwhile, Jordan Cox, who recently joined the English squad in the Caribbean, will likely be slotted at number three. 

Skipper Livingstone Forms England's All-Rounder Heavy Middle Order

Despite naming a relatively young squad, England have a well-balanced squad comprising of several all-rounders. Skipper Livingstone brings dynamism to the table and will lead England's finishing department alongside Surrey's premier allrounder Sam Curran. 

After Moeen Ali's international retirement, England would be keen to try Dan Mousley as their spin all-rounder in this series, with Jamie Overton ensuring batting depth and a quality seam-bowling option at number eight. 

Archer And Topley To Form England's Rampant Bowling Unit

Experienced pacers Jofra Archer and Reece Topley will likely spearhead the English pace battery in the first ODI against West Indies. These two bowlers can pose a serious threat to the hosts' top order, courtesy of their ability to make the new ball talk. Meanwhile, veteran cricketer Adil Rashid will be England's lead spinner, with likes of Jacks, Livingstone and Mousley assisting him. 

England's Probable Playing XI For 1st ODI vs West Indies

Will Jacks, Phil Salt (WK), Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone (C), Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley