Perfect series to answer Windies’ World Cup questions

England v West Indies 5-match ODI series

– opener bowls off today

By Brandon Corlette

The first One-Day International (ODI) between West Indies and England will bowl off today from 11:00h Eastern Caribbean time at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Today, February 20 marks exactly 99 days to the historic International Cricket Council (ICC) 50-over Cricket World Cup that is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2019, in England and Wales.
From West Indies’ point of view, this ODI series is the perfect preparation for this mega-event. Post this five-match ODI series, West Indies will play a Tri-Nation series prior to the World Cup. The Caribbean team will play four ODI matches in Ireland in the triangular series that features Bangladesh, starting from May 5, 2019.
England have won all of the four last ODI series against the West Indies convincingly, both at home and away. In 2012, Windies toured England and lost the three-match ODI series 2-0. The 2013-14 ODI series in the Caribbean saw England take the three-match series 2-1. England continued their dominance in the ODI format, whitewashing Windies 3-0 in 2016-17 in the Caribbean and 4-0 in England on the 2017 tour.
England have won 11 of their 14 ODI matches against West Indies in a bilateral series since 2012. This time around, the upbeat men in maroon, led by Jason Holder, will fancy their chances in this 2019 five-match ODI series after winning the Test series 2-1, stunning the Englishmen.
The squad for the first two ODIs look a balanced team, with the “Universe Boss”, Chris Gayle returning. In the build-up to the ODI series, Gayle has announced that he would retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup. He is expected to open the batting with fellow Jamaican John Campbell.
Shai Hope, who has been the best ODI batsman for West Indies in recent times, is expected to bat at number three. Hope ended 2018 with the third-highest ODI average after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The class act played 44 ODIs and has 1662 runs at an average of 47.48.
The amazing Guyanese talent, Shimron Hetmyer, who is arguably the most exciting batsman in the world, is expected to form the middle order with Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran. Holder, who has made big gains as an all-rounder in international cricket, is expected to follow while Carlos Brathwaite and Fabian Allen are the other all-rounders in the squad. Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo are the spinners, while Sheldon Cottrell, Kemar Roach, and Oshane Thomas are the fast bowlers.
England have looked a strong ODI team over the years and they have warmed up in fine fashion in the lone 50-over practice match. The England top order features explosive batters in Jason Roy, who warmed up with a hundred; Jonny Bairstow who finished as one of the leading batters in ODIs in 2018, and Alex Hales.
Joe Root, who also scored a century in the final Test and the warm-up match, will be a destructive partner with England’s specialist white-ball player, Eoin Morgan. Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali are all counter-attacking players who can take away matches singlehandedly.
The England seam bowling attack may feature Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Tom Curran, and Stokes. The spin twins, Adil Rashid and Ali will also be an essential asset in the England team.
This ODI series will be of much importance for both teams, and it will determine which players play at the 2019 ICC 50-over Cricket World Cup in England.