Geoffrey Boycott hopes to see promising players such as Yorkshire’s Joe Root given their England chance during the five-match one-day series in India.

The ex-England opener and current White Rose president said the series, the first under new limited overs coach Ashley Giles, begins an important two-year preparation period leading up to the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

England are employing a rotation policy for their winter ODIs, including a three-match series in New Zealand next month.

Jimmy Anderson, Graeme Swann and Jonathan Trott are missing the India series, which started in Rajkot today, while Stuart Broad sits out the first two matches and Kevin Pietersen will miss the New Zealand series.

Root, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Stuart Meaker and Chris Woakes all have the opportunity to shine.

“It is a good opportunity for England to give some talented youngsters a go,” said Boycott.

“We have to be planning because in two years there is a World Cup in Australia. Although you’re trying to win matches, you have to keep thinking that the prize is the World Cup. We have had three finals and never won one. We have to win one.

“The selectors have done a very good job. They’ve watched people and gone with their judgement.

“They’ve asked a lot of people. I’m sure I’m just one of dozens. I think they’ve made a lot of wise decisions because they’ve picked players who they think have got a bit of something special.

“But the only way of finding out is to put them in match situations where questions are asked of them, difficult questions when your team is under pressure.”

• Yorkshire have been given the go ahead to stage music concerts at Headingley for the next two years.

Leeds City Council have granted the county planning consent to host up to three concerts each year, although Yorkshire are planning for only two at the moment with the first one likely to be in June.

“This is excellent news for the club and for Leeds,” said Yorkshire communications manager Danny Reuben. “Cricket is at the core of our business, and this will enable us to utilise the ground as a multi-entertainment venue for the community and support the business of cricket.”