ENGLAND V PAKISTAN, ODI SERIES: TV channels, schedule, team news – All you need to know

The Cricketer previews the five-game series which acts as the last chance for either nation to fine-tune their preparations and squads ahead of the World Cup

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What is it?

The five-match one-day international series between the England and Pakistan; the final batch of official games before the World Cup. It follows the one-off T20 between the two nations, which saw England win by seven wickets.

What's the schedule?

1st ODI: The Oval, London (Wednesday, May 8, 1pm BST)

2nd ODI: The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (Saturday, May 11, 11am BST)

3rd ODI: The County Ground, Bristol (Tuesday, May 14, 1pm BST)

4th ODI: Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Friday, May 17, 1pm BST)

5th ODI: Headingley, Leeds (Sunday, May 19, 11am BST)

What are England's chances?

Here we are then. The last knockings of England's World Cup preparations come with a five-game series with Champions Trophy winners Pakistan. It is all downhill from here.

Eoin Morgan's men have stormed almost unchallenged from their catastrophe at the last tournament to favourites for the competition on home turf.

In the last 14 multi-match series in the one-day format, England have won 12, lost one and drawn one. Granted, they did not win the Champions Trophy two years ago and have been beaten by Scotland in a one-off game last year but are the outstanding favourites this summer.

With the matches in close proximity to the World Cup, any slip-ups will be magnified while the performances of each of the 17-man squad will be heavily scrutinised, with only 15 places available for the showcase event starting on May 30.

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Archer impressed on his T20 bow against Pakistan

Who's in and who's out?

The treatment table is already heaving, with Moeen Ali joining Jason Roy and Mark Wood on the sidelines.

Jofra Archer made his England debut against Ireland and impressed against Pakistan in the one-off T20 at Cardiff, and will be given every chance to prove himself at this level.

If Archer does win a place in the World Cup squad, then Liam Plunkett, David Willey and Tom Curran's heads are on the block. Each will be eager to impress when their opportunity eventually comes.

Joe Denly, who made his first ODI outing for 10 years at Malahide, will be offered the chance to cement his place in the squad, while James Vince will get a run in the team having benefitted from the Alex Hales affair.

England squad: Eoin Morgan*, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Joe Denly, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

What about Pakistan?

Since returning from England with the Champions Trophy, Pakistan's ODI form has been rather unspectacular.

After winning their next 15 50-over games in a row, they were held in the United Arab Emirates by New Zealand and lost 3-2 in South Africa. They also struggled in the Asia Cup, where they failed to reach the final.

However, this is a team which excels in the tournament format and when the odds are against them. With several young players eager to produce there is optimism over the future.

Teenagers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain are top of that list, while Mohammad Amir is also involved having been left out of the provisional World Cup squad.

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed*, Saheen Afridi, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Junaid Khan, Yasir Shah, Shoaib Malik, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imad Wasim, Fakhar Zaman

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Afridi is among the latest batch of Pakistan proteges

How can I follow it?

All five matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504, TalkTalk 405) in the UK, while radio commentary will be provided by Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra (DAB, online and through the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport website).

The Cricketer's social media channels will provide full coverage, while our website will provide all the reaction from the series.

What if I fancy a bet?

England are 1/6 on to win the series, while Pakistan are placed at 4/1 to prevail.

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