The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the England men’s cricket team’s playing XI for the first ODI of the 3-match series against India. The hosts, who are coming off a 4-0 victory in T20Is, will face the Men in Blue in Birmingham on July 14.
Jacob Bethell to open the batting
Jacob Bethell, who scored a half-century in his last ODI match on January 27, has been promoted from the middle order to opener. The southpaw will replace Zak Crawley/Rehan Ahmed, both of whom opened the batting alongside Ben Duckett in England’s last ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Reports had suggested that Bethell could be up for a promotion in the batting order, since England have struggled to find a partner with Duckett. Phil Salt was dropped after the Champions Trophy 2025. Salt’s replacement, Jamie Smith, failed as well. Crawley or Rehan didn’t impress much either.
Considering Bethell used to open the batting for England Under-19 and England Lions, the management has decided to push him to open. In his short 19-match ODI career, the 22-year-old has never batted in the top three and even played at number six. It’s yet to be seen how he’ll react.
Although Bethell has an Ashes hundred, he hasn’t done well at number three in Test cricket. And his best position in T20I cricket has proved to be number four. Does he have it to make it work as an opener in ODIs when the ball swings and seams? We’ll find out during the course of the 3-match series against India.
Josh Tongue to make ODI debut
Josh Tongue, who made his T20I debut against India, will make his ODI debut in Birmingham. The right-arm fast bowler was the find of the series for England in the shortest format and has made the side ahead of Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood for the India vs England 1st ODI.
England Playing XI for 1st India ODI
Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid
Bench: Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton (wk), Jacob Bethell, James Coles, Saqib Mahmood
Cricket
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