West Indies Tri-Series 2016: Combined ODI XI

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to an end on May 29, cricket fans will now be treated to some good old international cricket. England and Sri Lanka have already completed two Test matches in the ongoing series. The upcoming series and probably the most exciting of the lot is the tri-nation series that will be held in the West Indies from June 3.

Going into the tournament, Australia will be the favourites being the number one ranked ODI side in the world. With many players returning from injury, the World Champions will be majorly boosted and start the summer on a winning note.

South Africa, on the other hand, have a very strong side on paper and it remains to be seen how they can translate their talents onto the field and give the Aussies a run for their money.

The hosts will probably find it hard to replicate their World T20 success with their ODI side very different from what they play in the shortest format of the game. Languishing at the eighth spot in the ODI Rankings underlines how poor they have been in the 50-over format.

Ahead of the series, we take a look at the best XI involving players from all the three nations. Here is the combined ODI XI:

#1 – David Warner

There should be no doubt that David Warner takes the first opening slot with the form he has been in the recent past. Following a fabulous IPL season, Warner will be riding high on confidence and will be looking to carry on his form to ODI format too.

Since the start of 2015, Warner has scored 998 runs in 20 ODI innings at an impressive average of 55.44 and a strike rate of 109.79. He has three hundreds and four fifties to his name. For the opponents, Warner will be the dangerman as he can take the game away right from the start of the innings.

#2 – Quinton de Kock (Wicket-keeper)

The South African wicketkeeper is one of the most exciting young talents in limited-overs cricket right now. De Kock will be looking to put aside opinions about him being able to play only in favourable conditions and do well in the Carribean.

The 23-year-old has scored 837 runs in 22 ODIs at an average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 98.00, scoring four hundred and one fifty since the start of 2015. De Kock's form in the IPL will also give him much needed mental strength to go out and give the Proteas a good start at the top of the batting order.

#3 – Hashim Amla

The 33-year-old is one of the most consistent batsmen across all formats and would be the best choice to come in to bat at No. 3. Amla's ability to stay at the crease and accelerate when needed is a talent that has helped the Proteas many a time.

Amla has been in good form since the start of 2015, having scored 1258 runs in 28 matches at an average of 48.38 and a strike rate of 92.36, scoring an impressive five centuries and four half-centuries.

#4 – AB de Villiers (Captain)

The captain of the side and one of the best batsmen in the world currently, AB de Villiers is one player who can play any role in the batting order. To make the best use of his abilities, it would make more sense to send AB to bat at No. 4. His experience in the ODI format gives him an edge over anyone else to lead the side.

AB had one of his best seasons in the recently concluded IPL, having scored 687 runs in 16 matches. Everyone knows the phenomenal records that AB has in the 50-over format, with every single hundred scored at a strike rate of above 100. Add to that, his affinity for playing against West Indies will be something to watch out for when his side takes on the hosts on June 3.

Since 2015, de Villiers has scored 1411 runs in 23 innings at an outstanding average of 78.38 and a strike rate of 129.33, scoring six hundreds and six fifties each. These are phenomenal numbers in the ODI format, and it will be a surprise if the 32-year-old does not do well.

#5 – Steve Smith

Due to other batsmen who bat up the order, Steve Smith had to be demoted to the No. 5 position. Smith has been in great form in the last two years, across all formats. Along with Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Virat Kohli, Smith has been up there as the up and coming superstars of the game.

Smith has scored 1161 runs in 25 ODI innings at an average of just over 50 and a strike rate of 89.86. He scored three hundreds and six fifties. The 26-year-old will be looking to lead his side to a dominating win in the tri-series.

#6 – Chris Morris

One of the best overseas players of the IPL, Chris Morris makes the side at No. 6, the perfect position for the all-rounder. Although Morris may not have a great record in the 11 ODIs he has played so far, his current form will definitely give the 29-year-old the confidence to put on a good show with both bat and ball.

In 7 innings, Morris scored 195 runs for the Delhi Daredevils at an average of 65.00 and a strike rate of 178.89. His knock of 82* against the Gujarat Lions will be one of the most memorable knocks in the IPL where he got his side close to a win from an improbable situation. He also picked up 13 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.69 and an economy rate of 7.00.

#7 – Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite's name in this list might be a surprise as he has not had much experience. But, since making his international debut last year, the burly all-rounder has been quite effective with both bat and ball. No one can forget the way he handed West Indies an unlikely win in the final of the 2016 World T20, hitting four sixes in four balls of the last over of the match.

With the bat, Brathwaite did not get many opportunities for the Delhi Daredevils. However, in the six innings he batted he scored at a strike rate of 218.42 showing his attacking prowess right from the word go. He picked up 7 wickets for the Daredevils in eight matches which included a three-wicket haul that helped him win the man-of-the-match award. As per current form, Brathwaite makes it ahead of Australian all-rounder James Faulkner, who had a disappointing outing in the IPL.

#8 – Mitchell Starc

Australian cricket fans will be thrilled to see the return of their best limited-overs bowler, Mitchell Starc return to action after last having played an international in November 2015. The 26-year-old's record in the ODI format is nothing short of phenomenal and the good news for Australia is that he only seems to be getting better.

In 46 ODIs, Starc has picked up 90 wickets at an outstanding average of 19.65 and an economy rate of 4.85. He picked up 41 of the 90 wickets in 2015 alone, showing how dangerous a bowler he has been in limited-overs cricket. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to find that form again. If Starc does, it could be very bad news for both South Africa and West Indies.

#9 – Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada caused waves across the cricketing fraternity when he made his ODI debut in 2015 and picked up 6/16. Since his debut, the 21-year-old fast bowler has been quite impressive, picking up 30 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 20.13 and an economy rate of 4.83.

Although Rabada did not play any cricket after the World T20, it might come as a blessing in disguise for the Proteas with the youngster having got enough rest ahead of a hectic tri-series in tricky Carribean conditions. With no Dale Steyn in the side, the onus will be on Rabada to give South Africa the much-needed early in-roads.

#10 – Sunil Narine

It was a surprise when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) picked up Sunil Narine for the ODI squad, with the bowler having last played in November 2015, following a report on his suspect action. However, since then, Narine has worked on his action and even played in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

For KKR, he picked up 11 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 27.63 and an economy rate of 7.12. In ODIs, Narine has a very good record with 77 wickets picked up in 55 matches at an average of 26.05 and an economy rate of 4.07.

Although his recent record might not be the best, Narine could very well find his golden touch with the ball in the familiar conditions of the Carribean and trouble batsmen like he used to.

#11 – Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir has been, without a doubt, one of the best spinners in the 50-over format in the past couple of years. Despite not playing many games in the IPL this season, Tahir will still remain a threat on the slow pitches that the Caribbean could offer.

Since the start of 2015, Tahir has played 27 ODIs and picked up 45 wickets at an average of 27.20 and at an economy rate of 4.95. Tahir's ability to deliver his googly with guile will really put the opposition batsmen to test.