Windies vs England, 1st ODI: Fantain Fantasy Cricket Tips

The West Indies thrilled cricket lovers the world over with their spectacular display in the Test series. Despite being bruised and embarrassed, England did manage to pull one back and now are poised to play a format where many consider them as true contenders for the World Cup.

On February 20^th, the limited-overs leg of England’s tour to the Caribbean kicks off at Barbados. Five ODIs and three T20Is are lined up and the squads look a whole lot different from the just-concluded Test series.

Here’s a look at the ODI squads and all the key players that you need to know before picking your Fantain Fantasy XI.

England – Squad

Eoin Morgan(C), Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, David Willey, Tom Curran and Liam Plunkett.

West Indies – Squad

Jason Holder(C), Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Ashley Nurse, Nicolas Pooran, Devendra Bishoo, Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach and Sheldon Cottrell.

Team news – England

The English side under the leadership of Eoin Morgan has developed a unique brand of attacking cricket and the dividends have been sweet. Jason Roy joins the ranks and his recent ODI partnerships with Bairstow have been solid at the top of the innings. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are destructive in this format and for this reason; the batting line-up looks formidable for England.

As for the English bowling unit, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are a good blend of pace, seam and swing. And for variety, the tourists have Moeen Ali and the leggie Adil Rashid.

Likely Playing XI – England

Roy, Bairstow, Root, Morgan(C), Stokes, Buttler(WK), Ali, Woakes, Rashid, Plunkett and Wood.

Team News – Windies

Note that Chris Gayle is back in the side. And with a limited shelf-life, he’ll look to entertain the locals before heading off to his swansong – the World Cup.

Shimron Hetmyer displayed his talents on the tour of India and with Shai Hope in good touch and Nicolas Pooranand Darren Bravo waiting in the wings as well, West Indies appear cautious yet confident ahead of this ODI series.

Likely Playing XI – Windies

Gayle, Campbell, Hope(WK), Hetmyer, Pooran, Holder(C), Brathwaithe/Allen, Nurse, Roach, Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.

Hot Picks

Both Jos Buttler and Shai Hope are good wicket-keeper-batsman options. You could pick either or both of them if you’re undecided.

Shimron Hetmyer can play spin well, so consider him from the West Indian middle-order pack to counter the English spinners.

Jason Roy can be explosive at the top. Also, there’s Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root that you can consider from the English batting camp

Ben Stokes and Jason Holder are two of the best all-rounders in the business at the moment. You don’t have to look beyond them in your hunt for all-rounders

For your bowlers, there’s plenty to choose from, with Rashid and Moeen almost certainties in the English bowling unit. Also, think of considering Kemar Roach for his sheer pace.

Fantain Fantasy XI

This is our Fantain Fantasy XI but you’re the real expert. So check-in to Fantain, enter the various contests on offer and remember, #PlaySmartWinBig