Jake Ball has been named in England’s ODI squad for the forthcoming three match one-day international series in the West Indies.

The Welbeck Wizard retains his place in the party having taken 12 wickets at 28.5 in his six ODI appearances to date.

Alex Hales has not been announced in the squad at this stage as he is currently out of action with a hand injury.

With two matches in Antigua followed by a prospective series decider in Barbados, the series is set to form an integral part of England’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, taking place on home soil in June.

The squad is unchanged from the 14 that finished the recent 50-over series in India, with England’s selectors resisting the temptation to recall Stuart Broad, who recently returned to white-ball action with seven wickets at an average of 30 in the Big Bash.

James Whitaker, National Selector, said: “There is a huge emphasis on white-ball cricket during the first half of 2017, as we continue our preparation ahead of this summer’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.

“We felt it was important to keep faith with the squad that competed during the recent tour of India. The current group of players are making excellent progress under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss and the tour of the Caribbean will enable the team to test themselves in different conditions against a competitive side in the West Indies.”

England will arrive in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday 22 February before playing two warm-up matches at Warner Park on Saturday 25 February and Monday 27 February.

The ODI series gets underway in Antigua on Friday 3 March, followed by a further match at the same venue three days later. The prospective decider will take place in Barbados on Thursday 9 March.

Eoin Morgan’s white-ball England side currently hold the world record ODI total having blazed 444-3 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in August.

They are set to return to the scene of those antics against the West Indies on Thursday 21 September. 

England squad to face the West Indies: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Laim Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes.

 

England return to Nottingham in 2017 to face South Africa and the West Indies. With tickets for days one and two of the South Africa Test having already been snaffled, don't miss the chance to see some of the most exciting sides in world cricket go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.

Secure your seats now...