West Indies vs England - ODI Series preview and betting tips

West Indies vs England - ODI Series preview and betting tips

England's one-day stars are in the Caribbean for three weeks of limited-overs competition, hoping to right the wrongs of last year against West Indies.

Twelve months on from losing both a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against the Windies, rookie captain Liam Livingstone leads the Three Lions into action over an identical format.

The five T20Is are to come, but first it's three one-dayers, two at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, followed by a final showdown at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

  • ENGLAND 2-1 CORRECT SCORE
  • SHERFANE RUTHERFORD TOP WEST INDIES RUN SCORER
  • WILL JACKS TOP ENGLAND RUN SCORER
  • ADIL RASHID TOP ENGLAND WICKET-TAKER
  • GUDAKESH MOTIE TOP WEST INDIES WICKET-TAKER


Livingstone Can Lead Lions To Series Glory

There was very little between West Indies and England in the 50-over format when the Lions last visited the Caribbean last autumn and a similarly tight three-match series is anticipated this time around.

Twelve months ago Shai Hope's hosts pipped Jos Buttler's raiders 2-1 and several of the England group who played in 2023 are back, more experienced, better acquainted with the conditions and ready to take their revenge.

None of England's multi-format stars - the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Ben Duckett and Harry Brook - have flown out; they are still licking their wounds after their side's Test defeat in Pakistan.

And usual skipper Jos Buttler is a non-runner as his calf injury takes longer to clear up than he had hoped.

But there is a parade of one-day superstars, the likes of Jofra Archer, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Adil Rashid and more, just champing at the bit, and if England's team clicks they win this well.

The problem is, England lack much in the way of consistency, so if they do win - and they should - take them to do it by a 2-1 scoreline.

West Indies have played two series in 2024 and lost both, 3-0 in Australia and 2-1 in Sri Lanka. They will be happy to be at home, but still look fragile.

ENGLAND 2-1 CORRECT SCORE

Sherfane A Sure Thing For Top Windies' Bat Glory

Left-hander Sherfane Rutherford is a late arrival on the international stage but is determined to make up for lost time.

A T20 regular for a few years now, Rutherford has demonstrated that he can also deliver in the longer white-ball format.

The Guyanese ace made his ODI debut against England this time last year, scoring 63 in the second match in Antigua.

He then had three more outings in the recently-concluded series in Sri Lanka, piling up 74 not out, 80 and an unbeaten 50 off 26 balls, the latter in a successful run chase.

England's new-ball attack is seriously dangerous with Archer back in the fold, so coming in at third or fourth down may well give Rutherford an advantage and we know he's in form.

SHERFANE RUTHERFORD TOP WEST INDIES RUN SCORER

Where There's A Will There's A Profit

There is so much power in England's top order that you probably don't need to look far beyond the front four for their top series run scorer.

And it's explosive Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks who gets the nod.

Jacks enjoyed mixed fortunes in England's last series at home to Australia at the end of the summer, posting a couple of ducks but also smashing 84 at Chester-le-Street and 62 in the finale in Nottingham.

Now a mainstay of the England ODI batting line-up - especially on this tour with the likes of Root, Brook and Jamie Smith not in attendance - Jacks will certainly benefit from a bowling attack far less punchy than Australia's.

Last year, in the second ODI in Antigua, the 25-year-old scored a classy 73 to follow up his 26 in the opener.

WILL JACKS TOP ENGLAND RUN SCORER

Rashid The Real Adil In Battle For Wicket-Taking Glory

Adil Rashid looks a stand-out option to be England's top wicket-taker, especially with doubts over several of his rivals.

With England hell-bent on managing Archer's workload it's entirely likely he won't play all three games and another spin option, Rehan Ahmed, is unavailable for the first game.

Reece Topley, a real danger with the new ball, may also not play all three games, which should all help the case for England's front-line spinner.

The leggie, just the third English bowler with more than 200 ODI wickets to his name, has added so much control to his game and that makes him a real danger when opponents are looking to score quickly.

Eyes light up when big-hitting middle or lower order batters see Rashid offer flight, but he generally has the last word.

He only took three wickets in his five appearances against Australia in September, but the Aussie batters are far more disciplined than the West Indies wielders.

ADIL RASHID TOP ENGLAND WICKET-TAKER

Motor In For Motie Bowling Profit

West Indies' unthreatening attack had few rewards in Sri Lanka earlier this month, taking just 13 home wickets across the three matches - and two of those were run-outs.

Of the 11 wickets to fall to bowlers, four were claimed by Gudakesh Motie, who can back up that effort by taking top bowler honours once again.

A tall left-arm spinner, the 29-year-old Guyanese ace poses a problem for batters and, while it's a different England side heading to the Caribbean to the one which recently flew out of Pakistan, continued issues against high-class slow bowling seem to be afflicting the Three Lions at all levels.

He has an impressive economy rate in ODIs of 3.94 and, if he can frustrate England, he will probably pick up wickets.

GUDAKESH MOTIE TOP WEST INDIES WICKET-TAKER

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