Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
After a Test series that had many fans rejoicing at West Indies’ success, and mourning the death of young ‘Total Cricket’, attention turns to the first of five ODIs in a World Cup year.
West Indies have key personnel back in their quest to find form and confidence in the lead up to the big tournament. Jason Holder and Chris Gayle return to the Windies’ squad for their tough assignment against the world number one ODI side. Like the Tests, the Windies start as outsiders with the bookmakers, but that won’t mean anything to inspirational leader Jason Holder. Will West Indies cause England further stress on this tour?
During the Tests, you couldn’t help but think England’s main focus is white-ball cricket. Their batting, especially in the first two Tests, highlighted a side built on a very big diet of limited overs cricket, playing a number of loose shots to deliveries that deserved respect. Preparation for the World Cup, now just 100 days away, ramps up, with England to focus exclusively on honing their ODI skills even further. Will they prove too good in the first ODI?
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Key to a West Indies win
Success for the Windies in ODI Cricket has been rare in recent years. They have struggled with key players missing for various reasons, but now will be buoyed by the return of Gayle at the top order. Even at 39, he can be very damaging, and will be key in pushing England on the back foot and enabling the Windies to get a foothold in the game. In the talented Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, who had superb moments in the recent series in India (with Shai Hope absolutely outstanding in Bangladesh), the Windies have batsmen that can further build the pressure on England, setting a platform for the likes of Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite, in the absence of Rovman Powell, to launch at the death.
Also, can the Windies bowlers restrict a dangerous England lineup? England are indeed capable of scoring huge totals, but they are also capable of losing quick wickets at the top. The pace of Oshane Thomas at the top is something the Windies will be banking on, with Jason Holder and the spinners to follow. Early wickets forces an England rebuild which gives the Windies a chance in the game. As required with the bat, can the Windies start well with the ball and maintain their nerve at all stages of the innings?
Key to an England win
England’s batting lineup has been central to their rise in ODI Cricket. On the back of 371/7 in their List A game against University of West Indies’ Vice-Chancellor’s XI, they have reminded us of their capability of scoring massive totals. Of course, the Windies will provide a greater a challenge, as the Tests showed, so how England deal with the mix of pace and spin will be key. Jason Roy and Joe Root scored centuries, and will be key again, with Roy capable of providing England with a rapid start and Root keeping the scoreboard ticking. Can England’s strong top six fire to make life difficult for the Windies’ bowlers? Indeed, it is a thrilling top six, with Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler all raring to go in a big year.
Also, the strong return of Chris Woakes, in conjunction with Mark Wood’s pace can have England believing they have key X-Factors with the ball. The Windies’ openers will be keen for a fast start, and England will need to halt their progress early to put the pressure on Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, in particular. With England possessing two capable spinners in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid for the middle overs, they can put the squeeze on a middle order trying to do repair work, limiting what the Windies can do in the death overs.
Possible Playing 11
West Indies will have a few changes from their last ODI assignment, which was a 2-1 defeat in Bangladesh. There, they relied plenty on Shai Hope, who could open again here, or bat three. The Windies will need a strong performance from others around him to challenge England. Keemo Paul, Evin Lewis and Rovman Powell are out with injury. John Campbell, Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell have come into the squad.
West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Carlos Brathwaite, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Fabian Allen, 11. Oshane Thomas
England will likely leave out Alex Hales as Jos Buttler, arguably the best white-ball keeper batsman in the world, comes in after missing the warm up match. This is despite Hales picking up the man of the match award in England’s last ODI at Bridgetown.
England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
Pitch and Conditions
The team batting first has won the last three ODIs at Kensington Oval. The same trend could continue with the pitch possibly to wear out a little as the game goes on. Conditions are expected to be overcast.
Dream11 Prediction
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Stats and Facts
- England have won their last nine completed ODIs vs West Indies.
- West Indies have not won a single ODI series since beating Bangladesh 3-0 in August 2014. England have won their last nine bilateral ODI series (two matches or more).
- England won their last ODI at Bridgetown vs West Indies by 186 runs.
Match Prediction
It is incredible to think that four years ago, Test Cricket was by far England’s favourite format.
Whether we can say preference of ODI Cricket is now the case is debatable, but there is little doubt they will feel at home. They are looking a strong ODI unit, and will take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Thanks for reading!
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West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
