England came out super aggressive in the opening game of the five match ODI series against Australia. After chasing down Australia’s total of 304 in just over 48 overs, England will look to back up their MCG win with another as the series moves to the Gabba for the second game this Friday, the 19th of January.
England hardly put a foot wrong in game one, keeping Australia to a modest total of 304 on an MCG pitch which both captained agreed a par score was more around the 340 mark. The strong bowling performance was backed up by a masterful display with the bat, as English opener Jason Roy smashed 180 off just 151 balls to steer the tourists to a comfortable win.
Joe Root was also fantastic in the win, compiling a risk free and composed 91 to accompany Roy. The batting line-up England sent out in the first ODI already looks a lot more structured and more suited to the Australian wickets than the Test line-up did, which might be due to the fact a large percentage of the ODI squad have been preparing in the Big Bash League.
While the English team will likely go into the Gabba ODI unchanged after a great win, there will probably be a few changes for the Australians through rest and illness. Paceman Pat Cummins will get some rest after a big Test series and first ODI, while fellow quick Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the side for Friday through illness.
The moves force West Australian Jyhe Richardson into the fold, with the 21-year-old set to make his debut alongside WA teammate Andrew Tye and Mitchell Starc in the three pronged pace attack. Adam Zampa will remain the frontline spinner for the Aussies.
TIP: Mitch Starc most Australian wickets - $2.88 at Sportsbet
In the batting department, Victorian Cameron White waits to see if he’ll make his return to international cricket, however, with only Travis Head and David Warner failing with the bat in game one, it’s unlikely we’ll see any changes to the top six. Head offers skipper Steve Smith some quality part time spin bowling while Warner is untouchable. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine is in some doubt to suit up, after also falling ill, Adelaide Striker Alex Carey has been called up to the squad as a backup after blasting 100 of 56 balls in the Strikers last game.
The Gabba wicket will likely offer a bit to both bat and ball, as it did in the first Test of the Ashes. As it has been so often, it should be pretty hard and fast, and with no Cummins or Hazlewood in the Australian line-up, the English might have the advantage in this department.
But what the game will likely come down to again is the batting performance by the tourists. The way that the England top order, particularly Bairstow, Roy and Hales play so aggressively and with so much freedom has revolutionised ODI cricket and they are the reason England could be the #1 ranked ODI team in the world if they show a good performance in this series.
Australia start as $1.62 favourites, but without Hazlewood and Cummins in the attack, we think the English batting line-up are a massive chance to get on top early and dominate this game. Back them to go 2-0 up here at $2.30.
TIP: England to win - $2.30 at Ladbrokes
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