England will be visiting India to defend their trophy of the World Cup later this year in India. English side clinched their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup trophy by the finest of margins against New Zealand on their home soil in 2019 in the most dramatic final in World Cup history.
England has transitioned into a formidable side following their poor run in the 2015 World Cup as they brought in a lot of firepower in the batting department. They will face huge challenges to defend themselves in sub-continental conditions This will be the first time that India will host the World Cup individually. Previously, they had hosted the tournament jointly with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Jason Roy, and Jonny Bairstow will be crucial players for the England team coming into the World Cup in India, as they have enough amount experience playing in Indian conditions and they will require the support of youngsters Sam Curran and Harry Brook to do well in India.
1. Openers – Jason Roy And Phil Salt
Jason Roy was an important part of the England team in Eoin Morgan’s era, as he played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign on their home soil 2019 ODI World Cup. The English opener has continued to be a regular in the ODI line-up and has scored two tons from six innings against South Africa and Bangladesh in the format this year and will look to continue his form at the highest level as can be a vital cog for the England team in ODI World Cup in India later this year.
Phil Salt is a terrific stroke-maker who bats at the top of the order and can also keep wickets. He can score runs quickly and fits perfectly into England’s side’s aggressive brand of cricket. Salt can bat at one down or two down as well, and could add some flavour to the England batting in the ODI World Cup later this year, as he has the experience of playing for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023.
2. Middle Order Batters- Dawid Malan, Joe Root, And Harry Brook
Dawid Malan has been a match-winner for England, The southpaw will look forward to producing more match-winning performances for England and he has been a regular feature in the England batting order in white-ball format. Malan is a former No.1 T20I batter, which is a testimony of his ability, as he can vital player in the England middle order providing a vital left-right combination in the team.
Joe Root is one of the most incredible batters of the current generation. Root has a stellar record in ODI cricket, with over 6000 runs at an average of 50.00, including 16 centuries. The England team management will likely play at the Number 4 position in the team as he brings in the experience of Root due to his exploits against spin. Though his record in white ball cricket is not encouraging, the team would be tempted to play him on Indian soil.
Harry Brook has been a sensational performer for England in all three formats since he made his debut against the West Indies in 2022. Brook is already touted to be the next big thing in the world of cricket. Brook was impressive for England in his short cricketing career so far. The batter is expected to be a big part of the future of England cricket and can be a valuable addition to the team.
3. Wicket-keepers – Jos Buttler (C) And Jonny Bairstow
Jos Buttler can be a key player for the England team in ODI World Cup later this year as he can play at any position in the batting order alongside his brilliant wicket-keeping skills for the team. The English wicket-keeper batter perfectly times the bat–and he has a good game plan against pace and spin. The English skipper has also performed exceedingly well in the Indian conditions playing for Rajasthan Royals in recent years.
Jonny Bairstow is a destructive batter for England in all three formats of the game and the England batter can take on any bowling attack on his given day, as he can operate well against fast bowlers and spinners at a high strike rate providing the impetus in the innings. In any good batting track in India, he will look to produce some match-winning innings for his side in ODI World Cup 2023.
4. All-Rounders- Moeen Ali, Sam Curran And David Willey
Moeen Ali is one of the most sought-after all-rounders in T20 Cricket and the England veteran has done reasonably well for the England team in the 50-over format, as he played a key role in the 2019 World Cup-winning team bowling in tandem alongside Adil Rashid in their home soil. The off-spinner also played a significant role in England’s T20 World Cup victory in Australia last year and he can be a vital player for England going into the marquee event later this year.
England all-rounder Sam Curran was one of the most important for his team since his debut for the team, even though the injury has stalled his career to an extent. The 25-year-old was the Player of the Tournament when England lifted the T20 World Cup in Australia last year. He has impressed everyone with tremendous all-around skills in International Cricket, as he can contribute to team success in all three departments. David Willey can be a backup option for the rounder spot, as he did exceedingly well for the England team in the given opportunities.
5. Spinners- Adil Rashid And Rehan Ahmed
Adil Rashid is one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world, The Leg spinner has been a vital performer for England’s white-ball teams for quite some time now. The 35-year-old English leg spinner is usually one of the go-to bowlers for England skipper Jos Buttler in the middle phase of the innings in T20I and ODI cricket. The English spinner played a key role in England’s victory in the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup.
Rehan Ahmed is touted to be the next big thing in English Cricket. The youngster can be the x-factor in the side if he is provided with an opportunity to play for England in the ODI World Cup 2023 later this year in India as the conditions can favour the spinners in India. The leg-spinner has played only 1 ODI game for the England team and can be crucial going the mega event.
6. Fast Bowlers – Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, And Reece Topley
Mark Wood will be the primary pacer for the England side in their title defence on Indian soil. The English quick played a vital role in the title-winning campaign in the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup, as he outfoxed many top-quality pacers with his sheer pace in white-ball cricket.
Chris Woakes is likely to find a place in the team for the ODI World Cup 2023 as he has established himself as a brilliant new ball bowler across all three formats of the game, providing crucial breakthroughs for his team in high-octane tournaments and he can also provide in the valuable runs for his team batting lower-order down the order.
Reece Topley’s career has been curtailed by injuries, but the England pacer can make it into the England squad for the ODI World Cup, as he performed consistently for the team provided opportunity, as he can be equally dangerous with the new ball and old ball.