Brook takes over with promise to inject some 'fun and energy'

England's new white-ball captain begins reign against West Indies in opening ODI

- Ali Martin

A day before the first one-day international against West Indies, England's players were up and about early on the Colts Ground opposite Aldi. Harry Brook starts as their new permanent white-ball captain in this sold-out day-nighter, a game with eighth hosting ninth in the middle aisle of the men's ODI rankings.

Those rankings sometimes elicit a shrug among the major nations but neither side is one at present. South Africa and Zimbabwe are hosts of the 14-team World Cup in 2027, after which the next eight spots are booked via the International Cricket Council ladder in March that year. West Indies know all about the perils of the qualifying tournament for the other countries, with the original world champions - winners in 1975 - missing out on the 2023 edition in India.

Even with the 50-over format on the retreat globally there is a fair bit of cricket to go before then and England could simply do with a series win to start Brook's captaincy. The role came up after a winter of discontent that led to Jos Buttler falling on his sword: in six ODIs this year they have mustered six defeats, with those against Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa in Pakistan leading to them ending the Champions Trophy at the bottom of the heap.