Typically, we would expect a reset by now. A catastrophic failure here, a World Cup group-stage exit there. But this time, as England prepare for their third white-ball series in the Caribbean in as many years, with the first one-day international game on Thursday, what is there to anticipate? Brendon McCullum is set to take over the limited-overs setup in January, leaving Marcus Trescothick in charge for now. Jos Buttler's absence due to a calf injury means Liam Livingstone steps in as captain. Out of the XI that faced Australia a month ago, only five are in the squad for this series.
It's tempting to be cynical about yet another seemingly meaningless set of international fixtures, but this series – three ODIs and five Twenty20s across Antigua, Barbados, and Guyana – was added to the future tours programme to help repay the England and Wales Cricket Board’s debt to Cricket West Indies after their teams visited during the Covid pandemic. “We’ve had the English coming over for the last three years consecutively,” West Indies player Jason Holder told ESPNcricinfo. “This has not only boosted our economy within the Caribbean but also significantly aided our survival in international cricket.”
There are signs of Caribbean fatigue among England fans, with one tour group noting a drop in numbers for this trip. Antigua is out of sailing and tourism season, making parts of the island, like English Harbour, which will soon be bustling with young workers and tourists, feel like a ghost town. England aren’t the clear favourites for this trip, having lost 11 of their past 17 ODIs. However, there are still reasons to play. Jordan Cox is set for an ODI debut, while Livingstone also mentioned the uncapped fast bowler John Turner and legspinner Jafer Chohan as players likely to be involved.
“That’s what we aim to achieve from this trip,” Livingstone said from the team hotel. “To see how these young players fare in international cricket. With these young talents, if someone shows something unique, they can quickly move ahead of others. I believe there’s a lot of untapped potential within the group, and we’ll see that in the coming weeks.” This series is also an opportunity for Livingstone himself. Describing the chance to captain as a “pinch me” moment, his journey from being initially omitted from the ODI squad against Australia to now leading the team has been rapid. He will have added responsibilities as leader and with the bat, confirming he will bat at No 5 for only the second time in his 30-match ODI career.
“I’ll keep wickets if I can,” Livingstone joked about the extra roles he will take on as captain. “I always perform well in environments where I feel valued and appreciated. And in this environment, I don’t really have a choice because it’s me who has to value and appreciate myself.”
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