- May 29, 2025
If England’s ODI team had a status on social media, it would simply say “it’s complicated”. After an unrivalled few years of chaos, World Cup disasters and leadership changes, the Three Lions are once again in reboot mode. This time it’s Harry Brook in charge, and Jamie Smith–yes, the same one who had a horrible time batting 3 in the Champions Trophy–is opening the batting. Across the pitch, the West Indies are seemingly in their version of rebuild theatre. Both sides have plenty of talent, ambition, and things to prove.
Jamie Smith—From No.3 Disaster to Opening Gambit
Still remember Smith’s last appearance at No.3? English fans do—and not in a good way. 15, 9, and 0 don’t tend to go hand in hand with “future star.” But here he is, ahead of some more familiar names, given the chance to open with Ben Duckett. What gives? Well, for one, England is backing his natural talent and potential in the long run. He is unlikely to feel the weight of the scoreboard as much as he would as an opener compared to an innings at No.3, which is an experiment in the Champions Trophy that’s a nice way to allow him to free his mind and extend his first scoring opportunities.
Smith is a better player in the Powerplay than doing a rebuild at No.3. And, it is easier this time as he is not keeping wicket (Buttler has the gloves again), which should allow Smith to focus on playing and establishing the tone for the innings. Bold, high-risk, and very much on message for a team looking to get their white-ball mojo back.
England’s Patchy Past and Brook’s Bazball Future
Harry Brook has only 26 ODI caps and a single ODI century, but England has given him the keys to a pretty wreck of a vehicle. The last 11 ODI series? Three wins, with one coming against Ireland. Oof. However, with Brook’s leadership strongly rooted in Bazball principles, this might be exactly what this team needs. Something more like “let’s run towards danger” than “let’s play it safe”.
A way of thinking that England abandoned after 2019. Also, it helps that he is surrounded by many familiar faces—Root, Rashid, and Buttler were all here—and a healthy mix of youth and energy in Bethell, Jacks, and Carse. The hope? To make ODIs fun again, and hopefully, fun will lead to success.
West Indies – Wildcards or Serious Contenders?
Despite their inconsistency, the West Indies will continue to spoil whatever plans England has. They defeated England in their last two ODI series at home and brought in the in-form Keacy Carty and international stars like Shai Hope and Gudakesh Motie. Yes, they left IPL stars Shepherd and Rutherford in India, but that creates opportunities for players wanting to put their name in lights. They are under the gritty leadership of Daren Sammy, and this is a side that can overachieve against expectations. Do not underestimate them when World Cup qualification is on the line.
So here we have two proud cricketing nations that want to get themselves into an ODI rhythm ahead of the 2027 World Cup. For England, the Brook-Smith era begins in grey skies at Edgbaston. For the West Indies, it is another opportunity to demonstrate they are more than just inconsistent entertainers. Can Jamie Smith quieten the critics? Can Brook instill some urgency into a slow-moving format? And will either side truly reset, or just simply rebrand their issues?
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