ENG vs WI Match Preview | Captain Brook debuts in ODIs and looks to guide England to victory

Edgbaston will stage its first One Day International since 2021 this week as England face the West Indies in the opening match of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon. While Birmingham may see occasional light rain in the lead-up, forecasts suggest the worst of the weather will clear before the start of this day-night fixture.

Though England have struggled on the global stage recently—falling short in both the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy following a series loss in Australia—they’ve remained formidable at home, having won 13 of their last 17 ODI series since 2016. That includes a 4-0 triumph over the West Indies in 2017, with one match rained off.

On the other side, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy had warned of challenging conditions ahead of their recent tour of Ireland, especially without a warm-up game. Yet even he would have been taken aback by the 124-run loss in the opening ODI on May 21.

Despite falling short of a series win in Dublin, the West Indies rebounded well after that heavy defeat. They piled up 352 for 8 in the second ODI, which was abandoned due to rain and then hammered 385 for 7 in the third, dismissing Ireland inside 30 overs to draw the series 1-1.

One of the standout performers was Keacy Carty, who was unexpectedly promoted to the crucial number three spot for his ODI debut. After a quiet start, he responded in style with back-to-back centuries, outscoring the entire Irish lineup in the third game and giving the Caribbean side momentum heading into their clash with England.

Form Guide

ENG: L L L L LWI: W NR L W W

ENG vs WI head to head in ODI: 

England and West Indies have played each other in 108 One Day Internationals, with England winning 54 matches and West Indies securing 48 victories. The remaining 6 games ended with no result.

Pitch and Conditions: 

The pitch at Edgbaston is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball, with enough assistance for both batters and pace bowlers. It's known to be a high wicket-taking surface, making it important to select a balanced side, ideally a mix of solid top-order batters and frontline seamers who can exploit the conditions. As for the weather, there's a 60% chance of rain during Thursday’s match in Birmingham, which could lead to interruptions. Temperatures are forecast to range between 13°C and 20°C, so bowlers might find some swing and movement, especially under overcast skies.

Team News: 

England will be without pace ace Jofra Archer, who misses the entire series against the West Indies due to a thumb injury. In his absence, 29-year-old left-arm seamer Luke Wood from Lancashire has been drafted in as a replacement. Further weakening England’s pace options, Gus Atkinson suffered a hamstring injury in the Zimbabwe Test, while Mark Wood remains unavailable with a knee issue. As a result, the fast-bowling responsibilities will likely fall to Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Potts, and possibly Brydon Carse.

For the visitors, openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis were unable to find consistent rhythm against Ireland, but Justin Greaves showed gradual improvement throughout the series. Captain Shai Hope also regained some touch with scores of 2, 49, and 75. Matthew Forde stood out in Dublin with his adaptability, contributing effectively both as a stabilizer and a late-innings aggressor. He is expected to play a key role in the middle order alongside rising teenage talent Jewel Andrew as the Windies aim to make a mark in this series.

ENG Probable XI : Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts

WI Probable XI: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Amir Jangoo, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales

Broadcasting Platforms

The ENG vs WI first ODI will be digitally streamed on Sony Liv and telecast on the Sony Sports Network