Smith\u2019s promotion comes despite his underwhelming stint in the Champions Trophy earlier this year in Pakistan, where he managed just 24 runs in three games at an average of eight. But the England management \u2014 particularly head coach Brendon McCullum and new skipper Brook \u2014 see his potential differently.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBaz and I believe he could be an unbelievable white-ball opener,\u201d Brook said on the eve of the series opener. \u201cHe can play the moving ball, as we\u2019ve seen in Tests. There\u2019s no reason he can\u2019t bang it as an opener in white-ball too.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 23-year-old Smith, who averages over 40 in Test cricket, has been given a \"good crack\" at the top, but Brook admitted that his place isn\u2019t yet cemented. The new-look top-order will see Joe Root at No. 3 and Brook himself at No. 4, followed by Buttler at five, who has retained the gloves despite stepping down as captain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The middle-order will be completed by Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell, both expected to contribute with the ball as well alongside experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid. In the pace department, Brydon Carse, who has recovered from a toe injury, will return to join Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood in the playing XI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England are missing several key names due to injury. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer (thumb) and Gus Atkinson (hamstring) were both ruled out of the series. Lancashire\u2019s Luke Wood was drafted in as a replacement for Archer but will sit out the opener along with Matthew Potts, Tom Hartley, and Tom Banton.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This series marks a significant turning point for English cricket after a torrid 12 months in the limited-overs format. The defending champions were knocked out in the group stage of both the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy, and also lost their T20 World Cup crown. Buttler\u2019s tenure ended in disappointment despite his 2022 T20 World Cup title triumph, prompting the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to begin a white-ball rebuild under the leadership of Brook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a new era, and hopefully we can bring a lot of energy, competitiveness, and fun out there,\u201d Brook said. \u201cWe want to engage the crowd, get some wins under our belt, and play attacking cricket.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook also dismissed the notion that England had grown indifferent to results. \u201cPeople say we don\u2019t care about winning \u2014 that\u2019s not true. Everyone hates losing,\u201d he said. \u201cOur ethos is to put pressure on bowlers and play with intent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 25-year-old also stressed the importance of squad rotation amid the increasingly congested cricket calendar. \u201cWe\u2019re going to try and have our best players available as much as possible. But we also have to help players with their scheduling. There\u2019s so much cricket these days.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook, who led the side during last year\u2019s 3-2 ODI series loss against Australia in Buttler\u2019s absence, acknowledged the importance of having the former skipper still in the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTo have Jos around is amazing. He may not have had a great run as captain recently, but he did win the T20 World Cup in Australia. That\u2019s huge,\u201d Brook said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Buttler, despite his recent ODI struggles \u2014 averaging below 28 since his last ton in February 2023 \u2014 has shown signs of resurgence. He was in sensational form for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, scoring 538 runs in 14 games at an average of 59.77, with five fifties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHis batting is back to being the best in the world,\u201d Brook asserted. \u201cWhen he\u2019s at his best, he\u2019s the best white-ball batter in the world, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England and West Indies will contest two more ODIs \u2014 in Cardiff on June 1 and at The Kia Oval on June 3 \u2014 before turning to the T20Is. The three T20s are scheduled in Chester-Le-Street (June 6), Bristol (June 8), and Southampton (June 10).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England XI to face West Indies in first ODI<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England and West Indies will contest two more ODIs \u2014 in Cardiff on June 1 and at The Kia Oval on June 3 \u2014 before turning to the T20Is. The three T20s are scheduled in Chester-Le-Street (June 6), Bristol (June 8), and Southampton (June 10).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n