England have called up Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed to their white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean, which begins next Thursday. Both players are currently with the England Test team in Pakistan.
Cox, who will fly home after the first day of the series-deciding Test in Rawalpindi, is scheduled to join the white-ball squad before their departure for Antigua on Monday. Meanwhile, Rehan, named in England's XI for the third Test, will arrive in the Caribbean later and is unlikely to play in the first ODI against the West Indies on Thursday.
Cox, an Essex wicketkeeper-batter, is also expected to make his Test debut during England’s tour of New Zealand, which follows immediately after the West Indies series. He might leave the Caribbean early to arrive in time for England’s warm-up match in Queenstown on November 23, ahead of the first Test on November 27. Although he made his international debut in a T20I series against Australia last month, Cox could earn his first ODI cap in the Caribbean, especially with Jos Buttler sidelined due to a calf injury. Additionally, he is set to deputise as England's keeper during the New Zealand series, as Jamie Smith will be absent for at least one Test due to paternity leave.
Rehan Ahmed’s participation in the third Test in Pakistan will likely keep him out of the first ODI, and he may only be available for selection for the T20Is. He joins Adil Rashid and uncapped leg-spinner Jafer Chohan as one of the three wrist spinners in England’s squads.
England had always planned to add two Test players to the white-ball squads, and confirmed this week that Cox and Rehan would be those additions. Essex's Michael Pepper has also been named as cover, and Liam Livingstone will captain the team for the three ODIs in the absence of Buttler.
The West Indies, currently trailing 2-0 in an ODI series in Sri Lanka, have yet to announce their squads for the upcoming matches against England. The first ODI is scheduled for October 31 in Antigua, and the tour concludes with the fifth T20I in St. Lucia on November 17.
England ODI and T20I squads:
- Jos Buttler (T20I captain)
- Rehan Ahmed
- Jofra Archer
- Jacob Bethell
- Jafer Chohan
- Jordan Cox
- Sam Curran
- Will Jacks
- Liam Livingstone (ODI captain)
- Saqib Mahmood
- Dan Mousley
- Jamie Overton
- Adil Rashid
- Phil Salt
- Reece Topley
- John Turner.