England vs West Indies first ODI predictions, betting tips and odds: Back Duckett to start series in style

Where to watch England vs West Indies first ODI

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Matthew Forde to take over 1.5 wickets
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England vs West Indies first ODI odds

Here are the latest odds for the first ODI between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston on Thursday, May 29

Odds correct at time of publication

England vs West Indies first ODI prediction

England have lost nine of their last ten ODIs but they are just 2-7 to make a winning start under new white-ball captain Harry Brook when they face the West Indies at Edgbaston.

Both teams have been in the 50-over doldrums recently. England endured dismal campaigns at the 2023 World Cup and this year's Champions Trophy while the Windies failed to qualify for either tournament.

With massive Test series against India and Australia coming up, improving England's ODI form may be some way down coach Brendon McCullum's list of priorities.

However, former skipper Jos Buttler, Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell have returned early from the IPL to play in this three-match series and Brook, Buttler and Joe Root form a top-class middle-order.

Jamie Smith has been promoted to open the batting with Ben Duckett, who made the first century of England's home summer in last week's Test victory over Zimbabwe.

Duckett cracked 140 off 134 balls at Trent Bridge and is a tempting bet to top-score in the first ODI, as he did in his last one-dayer against the West Indies, making 71 in a low-scoring defeat in Bridgetown in December 2023.

He batted at number four that day but has excelled as an opener, averaging over 60 in 11 innings at the top of the order including a dazzling 165 in the Champions Trophy loss to Australia.

England's fast-bowling resources are stretched by injuries to Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, but Brydon Carse and Saqib Mahmood shared eight wickets against Pakistan in the most recent Edgbaston ODI in 2021.

The West Indies drew last week's series in Ireland, where number three Keacy Carty scored 102 and 170 in the second and third matches.

All-rounder Matthew Forde also enhanced his reputation, taking three wickets in the first game and blasting a 16-ball half-century before rain ended the second ODI early.

The 22-year-old has a great record against England, picking up 11 scalps in four one-dayers, and he dismissed Australia stars Travis Head and Steve Smith during last year's ODI series down under. He is worth backing to claim two or more wickets.

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