England v Australia 3rd ODI preview: England determined for a comeback as Australia eye series win

England v Australia 3rd ODI preview: England determined for a comeback as Australia eye series win: England’s fears have come true. It is not a new thing for them to look invincible in Tests and capitulate spectacularly in ODIs. Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and India each one of them have shown us that England does not perform like a home team when playing one dayers on their soil. The current series was being referred as the one which would change perceptions but sadly it has only exposed the trend more.

The way England came back against the Kiwis earlier this summer to win the ODI series 3-2 gave cricket fans plenty of hope that Eoin Morgan could lead a revival for their limited overs prospects but it hasn’t quite transpired like that. England are 2-0 down and have an improbable task of beating the visitors in the remaining 3 games if they are to win the series. They have struggled to even come close to the World champions who have been absolutely clinical.

Australia

Australia have shown that they are a different team altogether in the one-day format. The World Champions now have seven consecutive ODI wins against England and with two comprehensive victories in the first two matches, will be looking to gain an unassailable 3-0 lead at Manchester. In both games they posted 300 plus totals and bowled with immaculate discipline.

The men from down under are facing injury concerns after their previous win at Lord’s. Star opening batsman David Warner, who was hit by a Steven Finn delivery in the second ODI, was ruled out for the rest of the series with a broken thumb. Shane Watson, nursing a calf strain and Nathan Coulter-Nile, a hamstring injury are unlikely to take any further part in the series. That means Aaron Finch who was recalled is set to open along with Joe Burns while Markus Stoinis might make his ODI debut after playing in the T20I which Australia narrowly lost. In the absence of key players Steve Smith, Maxwell and Bailey will have to step up their game. Mitchell Marsh has been amazing for the tourists and has given the much-needed impetus late in the innings.The bowlers have bowled probing lines with Cummins being particularly impressive. With Coulter-Nile not there, Pattinson can expect a game. The Aussies should also be ready for a ‘resounding’ welcome from the Old Trafford crowd after the Ben Stokes controversy.

England

England, meanwhile, have some serious problems to address and will have to dig deep into its resources to keep the series alive. They have performed well in patches but have largely been unable to capitalize on the chances that came their way. The top order has got starts but no one has converted them into big knocks, succumbing to scoreboard pressure on both occasions. With Joe Root being rested Eoin Morgan has taken up responsibility and played a brilliant counterattacking knock in the last match. But the skipper will need more support from the rest of the batting line up if the hosts are to script a turnaround.

Jos Buttler, a key ODI player for England over the last one year has been in indifferent form and the selectors have decide to rest him for the remainder of the games with Bairstow coming in for him. Bairstow has been in fine form this domestic season but will be under pressure to perform in the do or die encounter.

England’s bowling attack is short on experience and apart from Adil Rashid, who picked four wickets in the first game, the remaining bowlers have been largely ineffective against a strong Australian line-up. The pacers have managed only six wickets so far in the series, with Chris Woakes going wicketless in both games.

England may not be the favourites going into the must-win clash, but with Australia being forced to alter its winning combination, the hosts can fancy their chances.

Stats to Ponder

1. Australia have won nine consecutive ODI matches so far.

2. Steven Finn is just four away from getting to 100 wickets in ODIs.

Probable XI-

England

Jason Roy, Alex Hales, James Taylor, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Steven Finn

Australia

Joe Burns, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith (c), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mark Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson