| Date: 3 December – 9 December, 2023 |
| Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. |
England captain Jos Buttler thinks this month’s white-ball tour of the West Indies is the start of a new era.
England start a three-match one-day series in the Caribbean on Sunday, less than a month after exiting the Cricket World Cup in the group stage.
“It’s certainly a bit of a new beginning, I think there’s some brilliant, exciting talent here in this team,” said Buttler.
England start their tour on Sunday at 13:30 (GMT) in Antigua.
“Young guys needed to get their opportunities and perform,” Buttler added. “The Caribbean is a nice place to start this journey or whatever you want to call it for a team and everyone is really looking forward.”
In England’s first ODI series since their woeful defence of the Cricket World Cup in India, captain Buttler is part of a newilook squad in the Caribbean.
Of England’s 15 players, only six featured in the tournament in India, including Brydon Carse, who replaced fellow left-arm fast bowler Reece Topley midway through the World Cup.
Buttler, Carse, all-rounders Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone, batter Harry Brook and fast bowler Gus Atkinson keep their places from the World Cup.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is in the squad, having pulled out of the Big Bash League on Friday, where he was due to feature for Sydney Sixers. Batter Brook has also withdrawn from joining the Melbourne Stars, while Test batter Zak Crawley will miss the start of the BBL, but is set to link up with the Perth Scorchers after the ODI series.
West Indies had originally named a 15-man squad, which included a surprise recall for wicketkeeper for Shane Dowrich.
However, 10 days after the recall, Dowrich announced his international retirement with immediate effect and West Indies opted not to name a replacement.
Their squad, captained by Shai Hope, includes the uncapped duo of all-rounders Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde.
Following the three-match ODI series, the two sides will play a five-match T20 series.
ODI squads
West Indies: Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.
England: Jos Buttler, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Phil Salt, John Turner.
Buttler vying to get England back on top
England finished seventh at the 10-team Cricket World Cup in India, only narrowly qualifying for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
This series, the first at the start of a four-year World Cup cycle, is one that Buttler is hoping to use as an opportunity to begin the journey of one again making England the force they have been in ODI cricket in recent years.
“[The motivation is] to get England white-ball cricket back to the place it has been for a long time. We’ve had one bad tournament, but that’s been in a great place for a long time and you see the depth of the talent guys have got coming through,” Buttler said.
“We need to help that shape the next sort of period of white-ball cricket. That’s something that I feel a nice responsibility to and motivation for.”
New-look England awaits as Test stars given chance
In a much-changed England squad, Test vice-captain Ollie Pope is in the travelling party and could make his ODI debut, as could uncapped fast bowler John Turner, who was forced to withdraw from September’s squad against New Zealand through injury.
Test opening batters Crawley and Ben Duckett both make the squad, as do spin bowler Tom Hartley and Durham quick Matthew Potts. The quartet all have fewer than 10 ODI caps each.
The new look to this England ODI squad could help shape the future of Buttler’s side, if those who are given the chance to impress make the most of their opportunities.
“Some guys have not been exposed to ODI cricket a lot, but have a lot of experience in Test cricket as well, guys that are not necessarily new to international cricket,” Buttler added.
“I think there’s a nice blend, there’s a real hunger to show off, but some high-class players that have done some great things in international cricket already. There’s some great energy around the guys.”
West Indies v England schedule
December
3 1st ODI, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (13:30 GMT)
6 2nd ODI, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (17:30 GMT)
9 3rd ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados (17:30 GMT)
12 1st T20, Kensington Oval, Barbados (22:00 GMT)
14 2nd T20, National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (17:30 GMT)
16 3rd T20, National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (17:30 GMT)
19 4th T20, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago (22:00 GMT)
21 5th T20, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago (22:00 GMT)
