A great escape in the second ODI at Old Trafford provided opportunity for English lions to hunt the Australian Kangaroos in own den. Three match ODI series has touched crescendo as teams are locked 1-1.
The T 20 and ODI matches between the two evenly matched teams have so far witnessed sea saw battle. Both team possess fearsome fast bowlers, quality spinners (finger and wrist spin) to tease and torment opposition batsmen. England possesses greater numbers of impact batsmen. But Australians are much superior in fielding. Morgan and Flinch are equally astute strategist. However, team that holds on to the composure today would win the even battle. England would be keen in finishing the home season with high note. Australia has to leave for home with heads high. It will be a battle royal at Emirates Stadium of Old Trafford today at 10 PM Melbourne time.
England has too many impact players, too many x-factors. Roy, Bairstow, Root , Morgan, Buttler, Billings any one can change the complexion of the game. On the other hand Warnar has not fired yet. May be he will chose this big occasion to turn up with his A game. Flinch is in peak form but could not translate his good start with something very big. We are unsure whether Australia would risk playing Smith stuck on the head in the practice session ahead of match one. Lebuchgne, Marsh and Maxwell are ok provided Warnar and Flinch can give good start . But Australian batting has collapsed too often. While English tail wagging last match won them that crucial tie.
England Australia match apple to apple as far as pace bowling is concerned. Archer, Wood, Woakes, Curran match perfectly with Starc, Cummins, Hazzlewood and Marsh. Similarly there is little to choose between Adam Zampa, Aston Ager and Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali. Australian superior fielding de finitely gives them edge.
England will be in a bit of dilemma whether to play Wood and Moeen Ali in place of Curran brothers. Brothers contributed massively in the second match. Australia will have to decide whether to risk their top batsman Smith just recovering from head injury.
However, we must remember that it is the performance on a specific day that matters. Teams have to appear with right strategy and implement the strategy clinically for winning a bubble tight contest. Hope to see an exciting contest.
England (probable): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
Australia (probable) : David Warner, Aaron Finch (capt), Marcus Stoinis/Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
BDST: 1128 HRS, SEP 16, 2020
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