Michael Pepper has received his maiden international call-up, having been included in England’s ODI squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
Harlow-born Pepper, 26, was Essex’s leading run-scorer in the 2024 Vitality Blast, striking 535 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.58 and an eye-catching strike rate of 193.84.
He hit 32 sixes in this year’s shortest-format competition, the most of any batter, and also added 523 Vitality County Championship runs at 43.58, hitting both his maiden First-Class and T20 hundreds too.
In all, he struck four tons across the summer, including an especially memorable 120 not out from 53 balls away to Sussex in a Blast game in July to steer the Eagles home in a chase of 208.
The Three Lions begin their three-match ODI tour of the Caribbean with a day/night fixture at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Thursday 31 October, starting at 6:00pm GMT.
Another clash at the same venue follows on Saturday 2 November, beginning at 1:30pm GMT, before the final match at Kensington Oval in Barbados starts at 6:00pm on Wednesday 6 November.
West Indies v England – CG United ODI Series Fixtures
Thursday 31 October: 1st ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (6:00pm GMT)
Saturday 2 November: 2nd ODI – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (1:30pm GMT)
Wednesday 6 November: 3rd ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados (6:00pm)
England Squad for ODI Tour of West Indies
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire, captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Jafer Chohan (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Will Jacks (Surrey), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Michael Pepper (Essex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), John Turner (Hampshire).
Enter the ballot for international tickets
The 2025 international fixture list has been revealed, with Chelmsford braced for high-octane action as England Women take on West Indies Women on Monday 26 May at 2:30pm.
In what’s set to be an unmissable afternoon of IT20 cricket, some of the world’s best T20 cricketers will go head to head in a T20 set in the heart of Essex.
What’s more, the game will be played on the Spring Bank Holiday making it the perfect day out with friends and family.
Demand for tickets will be high, so make sure to enter the ticket ballot and share with family and friends for the best chance to get your hands on tickets before public sale.
You’ll also have the chance to earn an extra entry to the ballot by sharing with the person you’d like to bring with you.
The ballot will close at midnight on Monday 04 November and ballot winners will be contacted with a unique link to purchase tickets on Tuesday 05 November.
