England opt for experience

England have opted for experience in their attempt to end their long run without a win in today's opening one-day international against West Indies.

The tourists resisted the temptation to give one-day international debuts to Worcestershire's Steve Davies and Kent seamer Amjad Khan and instead relied on Matt Prior behind the stumps and Steve Harmison in their attack.

Captain Andrew Strauss, who is playing his first one-day international for two years, decided to open alongside Essex's Ravi Bopara while Owais Shah was given a new role at number four.

Prior, who opened during the 5-0 series hammering in India before Christmas before dropping down the order, returned to number six while Worcestershire off-spinner Gareth Batty was given his first one-day international outing for three years.

Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas was also recalled for the first time since last summer to fill the all-rounder's role while England wait for Andrew Flintoff to recover from his hip problem.

West Indies were given a major boost with captain Chris Gayle declaring himself fit after suffering a hamstring problem which has sidelined him for over a week since the final Test in Trinidad.

But Gayle, rated as the third best one-day batsman in the ICC world rankings, lost the toss with England deciding to bat first as they attempt to end a run of 13 international games without success this winter.