Tom Banton handed England chance as Adil Rashid injury and Kevin Pietersen's arrival signal 50-over World Cup push
England will hand Tom Banton a chance to open the batting in Tuesday's first one-day international against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street, with leg-spinner Adil Rashid missing the series opener because of a hand injury and Jacob Bethell already sidelined following knee surgery.
Banton, who has played 43 T20s and seven ODIs for England, gets his opportunity as the world's leading white-ball side turn their attention firmly towards next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa in October and November 2027.
50-over World Cup now the priority
Brook's team have been superb in the shortest format, hammering Sri Lanka 3-0 in a one-sided T20 series last week and winning 23 of their past 26 completed T20 internationals. But with qualification for the World Cup now secured, the captain says 50-over cricket will take precedence.
"Naturally it does, with the World Cup being next year," said Brook. "That's not saying we're taking anything away from T20 cricket at all, because we're absolutely flying in that format at the minute.
"With the World Cup being just around the corner, and now we've solidified qualification, we can really start to home in on what the squad and XI is."
Pietersen brought in as World Cup mentor
Tuesday's game in Durham will be England's first ODI since adding former England batter Kevin Pietersen to their backroom staff. Pietersen has been recruited as a mentor for the build-up to the 50-over World Cup and began the hosts' training on Monday with a session on how to play spin bowling.
Following the conclusion of the three-match series against Sri Lanka on Sunday, Brook's side travel to Pakistan in October for a one-day tri-series that also includes the Sri Lankans. In November, England are in Australia for three ODIs and five T20s against their Ashes rivals, with the T20 series finishing just a week before England's sole warm-up game in South Africa.
Because of that tight turnaround, some of England's multi-format fast bowlers are likely to be rested for the T20s in Australia, meaning a break for the likes of Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and possibly Sonny Baker.
Squads and contracts on the way
The squads for the tours of Pakistan and Australia are set to be named next week, along with a new batch of central contracts, while the group to tour South Africa — new Test coach Stephen Fleming's first series in charge — will be announced in October.
Trott takes charge of England Lions
Meanwhile, former England batter Jonathan Trott has been named England Lions head coach for their winter tours of West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Trott's four-year spell in charge of Afghanistan came to an end in February, and having been a contender for the England Test job before Fleming was appointed in July, he replaces Andrew Flintoff, who stepped down in August.