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With England set to rest captain Harry Brook and other senior figures like Joe Root ahead of the Ashes, next month’s three-match one-day series in Ireland offers opportunities for younger players to be blooded.
It was a similar scenario against the Irish two Septembers ago when England’s director of cricket Rob Key and his fellow selectors delved beneath the surface and into a talent pool that included debutants Jamie Smith and Tom Hartley.
Both have gone on to make their marks at the top level following modest starts in a 48-run win at Trent Bridge, while two other newbies Sam Hain and George Scrimshaw were cast aside post-series despite making runs and taking wickets.
Selecting stand-ins for limited-overs squads is more of a challenge these days as the England Lions programme has focused almost exclusively on the first-class format over the past 24 months, increasing the likelihood of left-field picks emerging.
While Hundred form will undoubtedly be taken into consideration, it does leave potential for those excelling in the Metro Bank One Day Cup to be chosen as wildcard picks for the trio of fixtures in Dublin.
So, who of those currently featuring in 50-over action are making the strongest cases for inclusion? Daily Mail Sport picks out four contenders:
Harry Brook is among the senior players England will rest during the Ireland one-day series
James Rew (Somerset)
Only 21, but it already feels like this flame-haired wicketkeeper-batsman has been around forever. Received his first Test call-up in May when Jordan Cox succumbed to injury, and will potentially rival the Essex player as a deputy for Smith behind the stumps next month. Like Smith, it is his seamless transitioning between formats that stands out. An ability to adapt the pace of an innings to game situations has seen him average over 40 not only in four-day matches but across his white-ball career to date too. The ECB’s appreciation of his skill and temperament date back to 2021 when he was selected for a County Select XI versus India. Became the youngest Englishman (at 21 and 114 days) to score 10 first-class hundreds since Denis Compton in 1939 at the start of this summer. One he might end with a first full cap.
Somerset’s James Rew averages over 40 across his white-ball career to date
Tazeem Chaudry Ali (Warwickshire)
This time last year it was Yorkshire’s Jafer Chohan emerging on the county scene, winning a place on England’s autumn tour of the Caribbean as a result, and later heading to the Big Bash League for a gig with Sydney Sixers. However, Chohan remaining uncapped against West Indies told its own story and with his form deserting him, he could be usurped in the leg-spinning stakes by a protege of former Pakistan international Mushtaq Ahmed. Only just 19, and still involved in the England Under-19 set-up for whom he has the best ever 50-over figures of seven for 29, ‘Taz’ has been prolific stepping up into senior cricket, building on last summer’s promise by claiming consecutive five-wicket hauls against Northamptonshire and Kent. Unafraid to give the ball air, his ability to get it above opponents’ eyelines and drop it back down again is impressive. Born in Amsterdam, he previously represented the Netherlands internationally until switching allegiance in 2023.
Tazeem Ali has an impressive ability to get the ball above opponents’ eyelines and drop it back down again
Matthew Revis (Yorkshire)
Following several seasons threatening a breakthrough, this has finally been the one for the Yorkshire all-rounder, following in the foot steps of Brook himself. Emerging from the same club Burley in Wharfedale, and even attending Brook’s Sedbergh school, Revis has shown a similar fondness for run gathering this summer – averaging 79.77 from No 6 in the County Championship thanks to three hundreds in as many outings and 65 in 50-over action, at a strike rate of 125. Previously, one of the stymying factors in his career development was uncertainty over whether batting or bowling was his strongest suit. However, having first emerged as a 17-year-old opener in first-class cricket and picked as one of four seamers batting at eight as recently as 12 months ago, he appears to have settled into the Ben Stokes role of being a batter who bowls.
Matthew Revis has finally broken through at Yorkshire, following in Brook’s foot steps
Kashif Ali thrives as a boundary hitter against the new ball in limited-overs assignments
Kashif Ali (Worcestershire)
With a game founded on free-flowing stroke play, Ali would fit the Bazball mould perfectly. His nothing to lose attitude at the crease might have something to do with his late emergence into the professional ranks in the UK three years ago, at the age of 24, One of the first graduates of the South Asian Cricket Academy, he thrives as a boundary hitter against the new ball in limited-overs assignments and his hot streak at the start of the 2025 Metro Bank Cup helped Worcestershire go unbeaten across their first three fixtures. His journey began as a fast bowler in tape ball cricket in Bedfordshire, but stress fractures of the back at 18 after moving onto the local club scene led to a switch that has him dreaming of following another Worcestershire Ali, Moeen, into England colours. ‘I am not too worried about the future yet, I am still trying to focus on my present and take it day by day,’ is his assessment of such a prospect.
