Joe Root has been brought back into England’s one-day international squad for the first time since their disastrous World Cup title defence in November 2023. The ECB announced the squads on Sunday ahead of a white-ball tour of India and the Champions Trophy. Ben Stokes, though, is unavailable as he remains on the sidelines due to a left hamstring injury sustained during England’s heavy defeat to New Zealand in the third Test a fortnight ago. The star all-rounder had returned to the 50-over format for last year’s World Cup, which England completed seventh out of 10 teams.
The one-day series and T20 International series against India begin with five T20Is starting January 22 before taking off for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. February and March are booked for it.
Fast bowler Mark Wood comes back to both teams as well following an elbow injury which caused him to sit out tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. No spot, however, was there for Sam Curran and Reece Topley. New Zealand is a destination that has given young upcomer Jacob Bethell’s name a call-up to the side. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been included in the T20 side. Exclusive ODI inclusion was handed out to him and Root. Jos Buttler’s teams will be moving out on January 17. Brendon McCullum, who was elevated as head coach for limited-overs side, which he took up in September also will travel with the group.
Test team head coach since May 2022, McCullum has overseen the most dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of England, instigating the aggressive “Bazball” style of play.
England’s ODI squad:
ODIs : Jos Buttler , Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Phil Salt, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood
