Australia are just one game away from clinching the series after another convincing victory in game two. Can England keep the series alive? Or will the Aussies keep their momentum rolling? Jack Tobin has you covered with his full preview below.
England vs Australia: 3rd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
Durham, Tuesday 24th September, 9:30pm AEST
England
Squad: Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner
Once again, unintelligent batting cost England who were bowled out for 202 in pursuit of a very gettable target. England’s bowlers consistently picked up wickets to knock over for 270, in what looked a well under par score. England never got going after slumping to 5/65, with three of the top six scoring under 13 runs.
England’s bowlers were expensive like they were in game one, however they took wickets at regular intervals to put themselves in a strong position at the halfway mark. Australia scored at a run a ball, however it was brought undone by England bowling the Aussies out in the 45th over. The Poms would rue their inability to finish the innings earlier as Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood combined to put on 49 for the last wicket, which proved to be crucial.
Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers taking 2/42 off his 10 overs, while Matthew Potts was excellent with 2/30 off 7 overs. However it dropped off badly after that for England’s bowling attack with four of their seven bowlers going at an economy of over 6.
Australia
Squad: Mitch Marsh, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Mahli Beardman (Reserve)
It wasn’t their best performance with the bat, but the Australian bowlers picked up the slack to give the world champions a 14th consecutive ODI victory. The current streak is the third most consecutive wins in ODI history, with Mitch Marsh’s side still seven games away from tying the record 21 consecutive wins by Ricky Ponting’s side in 2003.
Matt Short (29), Travis Head (29) and Mitch Marsh (60) got Australia off to a flying start, however the appetite for risk of the Australia middle order hampered their ability to turn it into a big score. Run rate was never an issue, however Australia looked in massive trouble when they fell to 6/161. However it was Alex Carey who got Australia to a match winning score with a brilliant 74 off 67.
Australia’s bowling attack put the clamps on right from the start, in what was an impressive performance from start to finish. It was an even contribution across the board with Mitchell Starc (3/50), Glenn Maxwell (2/15), Aaron Hardie (2/26), Josh Hazlewood (2/54) and Adam Zampa (1/42) all amongst the wickets. Josh Hazlewood was the only bowler to go at more than 5 an over from the wicket takers, in what was a ruthless outing by Australia’s bowlers.
Match Prediction
Australia are absolutely humming at the moment, and they are finding ways to win regardless of the way the game plays out. Their batsmen are full of confidence and their bowling attack continues to pile pressure on England until they capitulate. England are clearly rebuilding in the format having won only two of their last eleven games in ODI cricket.
14 wins on the bounce is hard to ignore, and England’s bowling attack outside Adil Rashid has been unable to produce any economical performances. It’s two teams on opposite form lines at the moment, and this ruthless Australian outfit will wrap up the series in Durham.
Prop Bet
Mitch Marsh was back to his brutal best on Saturday night, scoring 60 off 57 after failing to capitalise on a start in Nottingham. Marsh’s last four ODI games against England have produced scores of 50, 10, 30 and 60, as the Australian captain looks primed to go big.
Mitch Marsh Australian Top Run Scorer
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