England vs West Indies: Second ODI Preview and Key Players

Match Details

The second ODI between England and the West Indies is set to take place at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on June 1, 2025, starting at 03:30 PM IST.

England's Recent Performance

Under the leadership of Harry Brook, England has ended a six-match losing streak by defeating the West Indies in the first ODI by a significant margin of 238 runs. Batting first, England scored 400 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, with notable contributions from Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and a remarkable 82 runs off 53 balls from Jacob Bethell. The West Indies were bowled out for just 162 runs, with Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton each claiming three wickets. With only two matches left in the series, England aims to secure the series victory with a win in the upcoming match.

West Indies' Challenge

The West Indies entered this series after a 1-1 draw against Ireland in their previous ODI series. Their performance in the first match against England was underwhelming, but captain Shai Hope's team is determined to bounce back. This match serves as a crucial opportunity for the young West Indies squad to recover. Jayden Seales stood out as their top bowler in the first ODI, taking four wickets in nine overs.

Pitch Conditions

The pitch at Sophia Gardens is expected to favor batsmen, potentially leading to a high-scoring game. The surface typically remains smooth, providing little assistance to bowlers, except for those delivering good-length deliveries. Teams winning the toss may prefer to field first, as the average first-innings score at this venue is around 291.

Head-to-Head Record

ENG vs WI Head-to-Head
Matches Played	109
Won by England	55
Won by West Indies	48
No Result	6
Tied	0

Probable Playing XI

England: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid.
West Indies: Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c & wk), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.

Key Players to Watch Top Wicketkeeper

• Jos Buttler | ENG: The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has played 188 ODIs, scoring 5233 runs, including 11 centuries. His inclusion is vital for any fantasy team.

• Shai Hope | WI: The West Indies captain has been in excellent form, amassing 5596 runs in 138 ODIs, with an impressive average of 48.66. He is a key player for the West Indies.

Top Batters

• Harry Brook | ENG: The England captain has shown remarkable form, scoring 58 runs in the first match. His consistency makes him a must-pick.

• Keacy Carty | WI: With 1306 runs in 36 ODIs, including three centuries, Carty is a valuable addition to any fantasy lineup.

Top All-Rounders

• Joe Root | ENG: A seasoned player, Root scored 57 runs in the first ODI and has a total of 6916 runs in 178 ODIs.

• Justin Greaves | WI: Greaves has scored 247 runs and taken 4 wickets in 11 ODIs, making him a player to consider for the second match.

Top Bowlers

• Saqib Mahmood | ENG: Mahmood has taken 20 wickets in 14 matches, including 3 in the last match, making him a key bowler for England.

• Jayden Seales | WI: Despite inconsistency, Seales has taken 20 wickets in 20 matches, including four in the first ODI, making him a valuable asset for the West Indies.