India Vs England, ICC Champions Trophy ODI Series: Three Lions’ Biggest Threats To The Men In Blue

India and England will clash in a three-match ODI series starting in Nagpur on the 6^th of February. The series assumes significance as it precedes the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan/UAE later in the month. Although India are the number 1 ranked ODI side in the world and England have slipped down to number 7, the visitors have some world-class batters and quicks capable of causing a lot of damage in the series. (More Cricket News)

We look at five English players who could have a big impact in the ODI series.

1) JOS BUTTER

Jos Buttler has not been in the best of form but still has a stellar record in the format. He has an aggregate of 5022 runs in 154 innings at an average of 39.54. However, what really stands out is his scoring rate – at 117.11, it is the second-highest in the history of ODI cricket amongst all batters with a minimum of 2000 runs in the format! It showcases how destructive Buttler has been with the bat in the 50-over format.

Buttler is a fine player of spin bowling with a brilliant record against leg spin, off-spin and left-arm orthodox. Only left-arm wrist spin (Chinaman) has caused him a few headaches and dismissed Buttler four times in nine matches at an average of 20. This will make his contest with Kuldeep Yadav a defining battle of the series.

Despite his impressive record against the slower bowlers, Buttler, surprisingly, has a poor record against India and has mustered just 435 runs in 20 innings at an average of 21.75 with just three fifty-plus scores. His numbers in India are even worse with 221 runs in 16 innings at an average of 13.8. Buttler has not crossed fifty in the country in any ODI encounter!

2. HARRY BROOK

Harry Brook has already made a name for himself in Test cricket where he is currently the number 2 ranked batter in the world, but his ODI returns are also quite impressive. Brook has already hammered 719 runs in 20 innings at an average of almost 40 and strike rate of 106.8 with one ton and five fifties. He was in menacing form in his last ODI series – against Australia at home in 2024. Brook slammed a stupendous unbeaten 110 off just 94 deliveries at Chester-le-Street and followed that with sizzling half-centuries at Lord’s and Bristol.

Brook’s most productive shot is the pull shot which has fetched him 138 runs in just 59 deliveries at an average of 46 and mind-boggling strike rate of 233.9! He has a higher average against pacers but is more destructive against spin with a scoring rate of 122.18. The cover drive has been his favourite shot against the slower bowlers fetching him 39 runs off 27 deliveries at a strike rate of 144 with just one dismissal.

3. PHIL SALT

Phil Salt has had a blistering start to his ODI career and already hammered 866 runs in 25 innings at an average of 34.6 and strike rate of 113.9 with one hundred and six fifties. He will provide the impetus in the powerplay where he scores at 117 per hundred deliveries.

Salt is as destructive against pace as he is against spin. However, he has had some issues against left-arm orthodox bowlers who have accounted for his wicket four times in 10 innings at an average of just less than 30. Salt is brilliant at the pull shot which has fetched him 156 runs in just 58 deliveries at a strike rate of 269 with just one dismissal.

4. LIAM LIVINGSTONE

Liam Livingstone is yet another English batter who boasts of a scoring rate of in excess of 110 – he has blasted 844 runs in 30 ODI innings at an average of 35.16 and strike rate of 111.5. Livingstone has been in prime form and smashed his maiden ODI ton against West Indies in North Sound in November last year. He hammered an undefeated 124 off just 85 deliveries powering England to a thumping five-wicket win in a stiff chase of 329.

Livingstone is more dangerous against spin against whom he averages a whopping 55.2. Left-arm pacers have troubled him in the past and accounted for his wicket three times in seven innings at an average of 19.7! This will make his battle with Arshdeep Singh in the death overs a key battle in the series.

5. JOFRA ARCHER

Jofra Archer has just represented England in 27 ODI matches but made a big impact already in his short career. He has picked 47 wickets at a very impressive average of 25.1 and strike rate of 30.1. Archer is also restrictive with a brilliant economy rate of just 5! Archer has the pace and bowls a mean bouncer – it is a big weapon for him and has got him eight dismissals at an average of 15.9!

Interestingly, Archer does not have a great record in the powerplay. He is a specialist in the death overs (41-50) where he has picked his majority 21 wickets at an average of 13.6, strike rate of 12.8 and excellent economy of 6.4.