ENG v PAK, 3rd ODI Preview: England aim to continue winning streak

Having won the first two ODIs, England will be aiming to complete a much-needed series win over their visitors in the third ODI at Trent Bridge. However, Eoin Morgan will be knowing all too well that underestimating Pakistan would be perhaps the most dangerous thing a captain can do. With a few England players on the brink of a few milestones, it is clear that there is motivation for the Brits as they aim to wrap up the series.

Pitch Conditions

The weather at Trent Bridge at the moment is cold and dry. Although rain may intervene, the dryness of the surface is expected to be enough to hold up. Typically, the batting surface is expected to be a good one as it has been in the past. Moreover, the fact of the matter remains that this is indeed one of the better grounds as far as England is concerned.

Team Analysis

England

Eoin Morgan and his men will be entering this particular encounter as the clear favorites. With a series win on the cards, Morgan will be setting his sights on a whitewash. However, to do this, England will most certainly have to stay grounded as well as make sure that they are able to execute their plans, something that Trevor Bayliss has been famous for as a coach.

The spotlight this time around will be on Joe Root. The 25-year old England batsman stands on the precipice of history as he aims to smash his fifth consecutive half-century. Only a few batsmen in the England lineup have achieved this feat in the past. Moreover, with milestones beckoning for the likes of Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, it is clear that England would be looking to go for the kill. A sliver of the spotlight will be on Ben Stokes as he aims to gear up to bowl again.

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Playing XI (Probable)

Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid

Pakistan

Azhar Ali’s Pakistan has gone from bad to worse. In spite of a win against Ireland, it was a case of welcome to the real world when they played against England. There have been a few individual performances here and there, but, it has been clear that they have indeed been outplayed by some phenomenal cricket by their hosts.

Of late, much of the spotlight has indeed by hogged by Imad Wasim. Having been ignored for the first two ODIs, it is clear that he will get his chance in the upcoming match.

Playing XI:

Azhar Ali (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz

Telecast on Star Sports

Match starts at 18:30 IST

StAttack

1. Both Pakistan and England have 3 wins against each other at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

2. Jos Buttler needs 18 runs to complete 2000 ODI runs. Similarly, Jason Roy requires 61 runs to complete 1000 runs in ODIs.

3. Joe Root requires one more half-century to complete five consecutive half-centuries in ODIs. Only Graham Gooch, Geoff Boycott, Alec Stewart, Jonathan Trott, and Alex Hales have achieved this feat. Moreover, Root requires 107 runs to complete 3000 ODI runs.