![Sam Curran [Source: @ECB_cricket]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758645222256_England(1).jpg?type=hq)
Sam Curran [Source: @ECB_cricket]
England have announced the squad for the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, which is set to start on October 18. The 3-match white ball series will feature Harry Brook as the captain of the English team. The series will begin with the T20Is followed by the ODIs. In the T20Is, Zak Crawley gets his maiden call-up while Sam Curran and Liam Dawson return to white-ball cricket for the Three Lions.
After multiple series, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, and fast bowler Jofra Archer have been rested for the upcoming series. Moreover, Saqib Mahmood is ruled out of the series due to minor knee surgery. The T20 World Cup 2026 is coming up, and the Board is trying hard to manage the players' workload.
England squad for white-ball series
ODI squad: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood
T20I squad: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood
Joe Root to be England's key player
England's one of the best batters, Joe Root, is in top-notch form, and having him around in the ODIs will help the team in the New Zealand series. Root last played against South Africa on September 7, where he smashed a century in 96 balls and helped England set a mammoth total of 414 runs and win the game.
He will have support from other players like Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, and Sam Curran, who are also in great form. Hence, Root will be in the spotlight for the entire series. England's performance against South Africa in ODIs and T20Is has been disappointing, so they'll try hard to beat New Zealand in their backyard.
