Harry Brook is relishing the prospect of England’s marquee players adding to their stature in the first ODI against New Zealand.
Joe Root and Ben Duckett are set to return for the series opener at Mount Maunganui for the latest leg of the tour, which Brook said was “amazing” for the team.
The weather affected the T20 series between the two teams, with England winning the only game to take the series 1-0, but Brook believes it has given the team good momentum with several senior players returning for the ODIs and an Ashes campaign imminent.
“There will be a few changes to the team, a few big names coming back, and hopefully we can get off to a good start on Sunday and keep the momentum going,” Brook said.
“We tried to have fun off the field so that we could have fun on the field. This tour has been amazing for our group.”
The 3-ODI series continues a busy period for England, with the Ashes in Australia followed by a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka immediately after the T20 World Cup, but Brook feels the team’s balance and depth will allow them to continue building momentum throughout the winter.
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Harry Brook is hoping England can win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 2010-11.
“It’s disappointing to only play one game, but we played amazing that night and after a thumping third T20 in Auckland, Brook has gained some good momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup,” he said.
“I think we have a beautiful balance in the side, a lot of depth in our batting and very skilful bowlers who can finish the game, so I think we are in a really good and strong position.”
Luke Wood will be looking to make his first ODI appearance in almost two years when England play New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
Wood decided to continue claiming a place in the squad.
Luke Wood is determined to enjoy his loan spell in England and hopes being given a specific role will mean he is more likely to retain his white-ball place.
A left-arm swing bowler, he was out of contention until he was recalled to the T20 squad in June and has featured in eight of the nine matches since then, but England have rarely been able to field all their fast bowlers.
Wood admits his role is still unclear, but the 30-year-old now feels part of the team unit due to the threat he provides, especially with the new ball.
“Since I’ve been back, I feel like my role has become more defined than last time,” Wood said. “I can’t tell you where I am in the pecking order.
It was difficult when I wasn’t with the team. There are parts of me that think my opportunities are lost because I am not necessarily the youngest player, but there is always a glimmer of hope in the back of my mind.
“It doesn’t feel good at all because I’m left-handed, but I was probably more surprised when the call came this summer. Since then I’ve tried to treat it differently than last time.
“Last time I felt a lot of pressure to do well, but this time I’m trying to enjoy it.”
Kyle Jamieson has been playing IPL cricket for Punjab Kings this summer but will not feature for New Zealand or England.
With Williamson returning, Jamieson will miss the ODI series.
Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out of New Zealand’s ODI series against England due to team stiffness, but former captain Kane Williamson returns after not featuring for India since their Champions Trophy final defeat in March.
Coach Rob Walter said: “Kyle had a bit of stiffness in his side after bowling today and we didn’t want to take any risks at this stage of the summer.”
“We felt it was best for him to sit out this one-day series and have the best opportunity to prepare for the West Indies tour, which begins in Auckland on November 5.”
Williamson brings vast experience, having captained New Zealand in 41 of his 105 Test appearances and 91 of his 173 ODI matches. However, when asked about his plans beyond the upcoming season, he said: “It’s not too far away. It’s probably the ODI World Cup on my mind. There’s always something else going on. Test cricket is pretty dear to me too.
“It’s actually a little bit more of a question of what do I want, what does the team want, where is it going, what are we going to buy into?”
New Zealand v England – White Ball Schedule
Always UK and Ireland
- First T20 (Christchurch): match is stopped ☔🤦
- Second T20 (Christchurch): England wins by 65 runs
- Third T20 (Auckland): match is stopped ☔🤦
- First ODI: Sunday 26 October (1am) – Mt Maunganui
- Second ODI: Wednesday October 29 (1am) – Hamilton
- Third ODI: Saturday 1 November (1am) – Wellington
