RCB's Bethell At 6, Jamie Smith To Open As England Confirm Playing XI For 1st ODI vs WI

England have announced their playing XI vs WI [Source: @saifahmed75/X]

In a significant development, England have confirmed their playing XI for the upcoming first ODI against West Indies. Led by Harry Brook, England will take on the Caribbean Men in the inaugural game of the series at Edgbaston on May 29. 

Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett To Open As England Confirm XI

This afternoon, the ECB revealed England's playing XI for the first ODI, which will be played in Birmingham on Thursday. While Jamie Smith has been chosen as Ben Duckett's opening partner, stylish batter and RCB's mainstay Jacob Bethell will play at number six. 

Veteran cricketer Joe Root will bat at his preferred number three position, with skipper Brook and the swashbuckling trio of Jos Buttler, Bethell and Will Jacks forming the middle-order core. 

Notably, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell left their respective IPL teams to participate in the West Indies home series. As a result, they won't be available for the playoffs, which MI, RCB and GT have already qualified for. 

Apart from scoring crucial runs down the order, Jacks and Overton can chip in with handy contributions with the ball. Brydon Carse, who was sidelined from the IPL 2025 due to injury, also makes his return to competitive cricket. 

With Jofra Archer injured, England have picked Saqib Mahmood as their frontline pacer along with Carse and Overton. Meanwhile, Adil Rashid, who will play his 150th ODI, is set to spearhead the spin bowling attack with Jacks and Root. 

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

Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid

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