England vs West Indies 2017: 5 players to watch out for

West Indies face a stiff challenge as England visit the Caribbean shores for a three-match ODI series. The contest may seem like any other harmless bilateral series, but with the Champions Trophy looming large, England have an opportunity to prep themselves up for the home event.

West Indies, on the other hand, are not part of the eight-team tournament and will have a point or two to prove about their capabilities in One Day cricket. They have been pathetic at best in ODIs in the past few years and are grooming a young bunch for the 2019 World Cup.

England are still in recovery after a shambolic Indian tour and need to get their main players firing soon. While their batting has held its own in recent times, the composition of their bowling attack has been a question mark.

Here we take a look at 5 players who will be in the spotlight for the three-match series.

#5 Carlos Brathwaite

The dynamic West Indian all-rounder will be in focus as England return for a face-off with him after the World T20 finals where he slammed Ben Stokes for four sixes in the final over. The well-built star of the finals will be looking to match his T20 feats in ODI cricket.

Brathwaite hasn't showcased his full potential with the bat in the fifty over formats yet with an average of 13.41 after 20 ODIs. However, he has 21 wickets with the ball, decent returns in modern day cricket for a bowler.

As Ben Stokes and co come to the West Indies they will be wary of the hard-hitting lower order batsman. Brathwaite will need some runs himself although the Chief Selector, Courtney Browne voiced his support for the all-rounder earlier this week.

#4 Jason Roy

Roy is in fine form before the three-match series

The dynamic England opener was one among the few to return from India with his reputation intact. The opener made half-centuries in each of the three games, getting England off to a flier in each match.

There is a concern about his conversion rate though and Roy will need to ensure that if he gets a fifty he converts it to a big one more often than not. The conditions in West Indies may not suit batting as much as it did in India and it will be a test for Roy, who thrives on flat tracks.

With Hales still out injured, Roy will have Billings partnering him at the top, which makes him the senior of the two openers. He has shown that he can deliver in any condition and Roy will use the series to carry forward his good form to the Champions Trophy.

#3 Shannon Gabriel

Gabriel can trouble the best of batsmen with his skiddy pace

The wide shouldered fast bowler made an immediate impact when he was given the new ball in the Tri-Series involving Australia and South Africa. His skiddy pace and rhythm troubled the best of batsmen in that series.

However, the pace bowler hasn't quite shown the consistency expected of a leader of the attack. With Alzarri Joseph and Miguel Cummins in the wings, Gabriel will need to fire more often to retain himself in the playing eleven.

Gabriel has played 8 ODIs and taken 13 wickets with a best of 3/17. His biggest weapon is how he ruffle up batsmen with sheer pace. He troubled the likes of Hashim Amla and Ab de Villiers in the triangular series and will be hoping to make a similar impression against Root and co.

#2 Chris Woakes

Woakes is a match-winner with the ball for England

The tall all-rounder had his best year in International Cricket in 2016 and would be looking to carry forward that form this year as well. A fighting 47 against the West Indies Board President's XI yesterday helped England win the game.

His bowling was excellent in India and here he may find slower surfaces which will need him to bring out his several variations more often. He has cemented his spot in the eleven already and should be the opening bowler for England in the Champions Trophy.

Woakes is one of the many all-rounders that England have in their line-up. Their reserve bowling strength boasts of the likes of Steven Finn and Liam Plunkett which means Woakes will have to be on his toes right through the series.

#1 Ben Stokes

Stokes has a point to prove against the West Indies

The Rs.14 Crore deal in the 2017 IPL auctions has made Ben Stokes a celebrity overnight. The hard-hitting all-rounder celebrated that with a 53 ball 61 in the first tour game in the West Indies.

In the same game, however, he was carted around the park for 27 runs in 1.5 overs. That is by no means a happy welcome for Stokes, who would have terrifying memories of the West Indies after the World T20 finals.

However, the Durham player is one of the premier all-rounders in World Cricket today and will be the trump card for England in the upcoming event at home. Stokes will be looking to bury some of his bad memories as he takes on West Indies while also brushing up his bowling skills before the tournament.