England name debutant Baker in Playing for first ODI

England have named their Playing XI for the first ODI of the upcoming three-match series against South Africa at home. This encounter will be played at the Headingley in Leeds on Tuesday, September 2 and will see the English side play the first white-ball fixture in this summer. While key and experienced names have retained their respective spots, England have handed an ODI debut to Sonny Baker. 

The Harry Brook-led side will see Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett open the batting against the Proteas in the series opener, forming a solid left-hand-right-hand combination. At 3 will be the seasoned campaigner Joe Root, who is coming on the back of a brilliant Test series against India during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, ending as the highest run-getter for the hosts in the five games.

Skipper Harry Brook will be comprising the middle order alongside former skipper Jos Buttler, whereas, all-rounders Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse and Will Jacks will be expected to handle the scoring towards the fag end of the innings. Carse will be one of the pacers alongside Jofra Archer, while Baker will learn a lot while bowling alongside the English quicks.

Notably, Adil Rashid is the only specialist spinner included in the Three Lions’ line-up against the Temba Bavuma-led side. Rashid will be plying his trade on a pitch that rarely offers anything for the spinners. However, Bethell and Jacks can too roll their arms with the spin if needed. This completes the power packed line-up for the first match of the multi-format series on Tuesday.

England Playing XI for 1st ODI vs South Africa: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker

ENG vs SA 2025 Schedule

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