Tag Eng-WI-June-2012

With the test series behind them, England have made a few changes in their team for the 3 ODIs starting on the 16th. One major change is the recalling of Ian Bell into the ODI eleven.

After Kevin Pietersen retired from ODIs and in turn had to retire from T20s as well, England were looking for a good replacemet, and who better than the 30-year-old Bell, who had 108 ODI appearances to his name with an average of 34 and a strike rate of 73? Coach Andy Flower spoke about his choice to an English website and was quoted saying,  “The World Cup in Australia was definitely on our mind. We had to weigh up whether to get someone younger than him (Bell) in. But we think he's the best option for us."

Andrew Strauss, who stepped down from short-over formats after the 2011 ICC World Cup in India last year, also spoke about Bell and the chance he had to make a name for himself. “This might be the opportunity he needs to cement his place in the one-day side. To me he's one of the best players in the world and he can adjust to any form of the game,” he was quoted saying.

Ravi Bopara who is coming back from an injury, recently made selectors take notice of his return with a county century will be in the squad and is almost certain to play. Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow and Samit Patel have also been added to the squad. Stuart Broad and James Anderson return as well after being rested for the final test against the Windies. This should be useful against a West Indian batsman who was “formally recalled” to the squad recently and who goes by the name Chris Gayle.

With Alastair Cook as the captain, England will definitely look for a result similar to the test match series, which was won 2-0, and if the Gayle-storm doesn’t strike, it should be fairly easy. But one thing to keep in mind is to never count the West Indies out. They have showed time and again that no matter what the challenge is, they will step up to it.

England ODI squad

Alastair Cook (capt),James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott plus Chris Woakes.