We deliver our verdict on the members of Eoin Morgan's side that must perform this weekend...
Alex Hales
Having struggled in the Test team, withdrawn from last Autumn’s tour of Bangladesh, and failed to find form subsequently in India, Alex Hales is under the most intense pressure of his England career.
A century in the West Indies in March – a tour in which he was admirably backed by the selectors – clawed plenty of credit back, but amid an influx of challengers, he still has work to do.
A poor start to the season has not pushed forward his case, and though the management’s evident belief in him means it would be a surprise were he not to line up in the Champions Trophy, he could do with some runs in this series.
The good news is that, bar the India tour, Hales’ ODI form over the last 18 months is outstanding, and vindicates said belief.
His average of 55 since the beginning of the Pakistan series in November 2015 is only bettered by Joe Root’s 60, including five centuries – two more than anybody else – and a tour of South Africa that saw him register a half-century in every one of the five ODIs.
Verdict: Needn’t worry, but could do with proving a few naysayers wrong.
Sam Billings
Billings is another with the imperturbable backing of the selectors, but must now convert numerous chances into telling contributions.
In the absence of Jos Buttler, the Kent man has flown home from the IPL to keep wicket in this series – notably selected to do so ahead of Test gloveman Jonny Bairstow.
Billings has played in four of England’s last seven ODIs, but has failed to go big, failing to reach 30 in three of them.
His 360-degree, inventive approach to batting has earned him worldwide acclaim – he has featured in the Big Bash, PSL and IPL in the last year – and encapsulates everything that England want from their one-day batsmen.
The reality for the 25-year-old, though, is that only an extraordinary couple of performances against Ireland could earn him a start in the Champions Trophy, with Buttler sure to return and Hales likely to be persevered with.
Verdict: Can further prove his ability, but may have to remain patient for now.
Ben Duckett
Having been included in the squad across all three formats for England’s subcontinental winter, things did not go to plan for Duckett.
The 22-year-old was exposed against the best spin bowling that he has ever faced, and has since spoken of mixed thinking and confusion as to what was being asked of him.
Amid the good form of competitors for his place in the squad – notably Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone – Duckett must deliver a landmark performance to cement his place in the ODI picture again.
But having been overlooked in the Champions Trophy squad, two days of drinks-carrying against Ireland, followed by a lean summer, would see him knocked well down the pecking order.
Verdict: Must take advantage of any chance, or risk slipping out of contention completely.
Adil Rashid
Axing him for the final two ODIs in India in January proved that the England management still don’t totally trust Rashid, who may still be twitching over his Champions Trophy place.
The 29-year-old is at his best when pressure-free, but must perform under scrutiny this week if he is to cement his position.
That he is still questioned is somewhat unfair.
Rashid is, by some distance, England’s top wicket-taker in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup, and his mystery spin offers variety to an attack that notoriously lacks attacking bowling options in the middle overs.
But any sign that Rashid – who does have bad days – may let England down could see them revert to fielding just one spinner, Moeen Ali, in what will largely be seam-friendly home conditions.
Verdict: Pencilled into the long-term XI, but could bowl himself out of it.
Steven Finn
The are several, complex reasons behind Steven Finn’s international malaise, and the result is that he is now clinging on to, not demanding, selection in these squads.
Two wickets in five List A matches this season hardly convinces that England’s enigmatic fast bowler will find something this week.
The ODIs against the West Indies in March were his first since September 2015, a series in which he was largely out-bowled by Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes.
And that he is no further entrenched in the England setup than six years ago – he is not in the Champions Trophy squad, remember – is a failure, after it was foretold that he would lead England’s pace attack for several years.
Woakes’ absence for this mini-series has perhaps opened the door again.
Should Finn be selected to play against Ireland – though that prospect looks bleak with Jake Ball, Mark Wood, David Willey, and Plunkett in the squad – he simply must step up and make a sizeable contribution.
If he isn’t, his international future will be shrouded in doubt.
Verdict: Failure to make an impression this week could have permanent consequences.
