What: Tri-Series ODI
Who: Australia v England
When: Friday, January 23 – 2.20pm (AEDT)
Where: The SCG
I Can Watch It On: Channel Nine
Things you need to know:
Australia have made several changes for Friday's clash against the Old Enemy. Steve Smith will captain the side for George Bailey who is serving a one-match ban for a slow over rate in Sunday's four-wicket win over India. David Warner is being rested after a heavy workload. Shaun Marsh and Cameron White have been called in for Bailey and Warner. Josh Hazlewood (heel) and fellow quick Mitchell Johnson (personal reasons) will also miss. World Cup skipper Michael Clarke also remains sidelined following hamstring surgery. Australia have already qualified for the Tri Series final in Perth on Sunday, February 1 after opening wins over England and India. They play India at the SCG on Australia Day in their final preliminary match.
England bounced back from a three-wicket bonus-point loss to Australia in the Tri Series opening with a nine-wicket hammering of India at the Gabba on Tuesday. Maligned quick Steven Finn took 5-33 and returning veteran James Anderson claimed 4-18 as England skittled India for 153. Skipper Ian Bell belted an unbeaten 88 and James Taylor hit 56 not out en route to a bonus-point win. The Poms are second on the ladder on five points and will be all-but assured a spot in the final with a win on Friday.
Reason To Watch:
Mitchell Starc. The lethal left-armer has taken 10 wickets in two games and is bordering on unplayable at the minute, especially with the new ball.
Reason To Turn Away:
We've been spoilt by David Warner all summer but the powerful left-hander won't be on show this time around as he enjoys a well-earned spell.
Say What:
"Steven's appointment was a straightforward decision given the excellent impression he made in charge of the side during the Test series when he stepped in for the injured Michael Clarke. It is unfortunate for George Bailey that he will miss the match in his home state but in Steven we have a dynamic player who leads from the front, by example, and we look forward to him doing so again on Friday," Australia chairman of selectors Rod Marsh on the decision to give Smith the captaincy for the match.
Final Word:
Australia enters this one as strong favourites but we sniff an upset. In-form quick Mitchell Starc will still lead the way with the ball but David Warner's absence at the top of the Aussie order makes it a much fairer fight for the tourists. England's quicks found form against India and the Poms have enough batsmen in form to post a big score if they can avoid an early collapse this time around. It'll be close but we're backing the hosts to book their spot in the final with a narrow victory.
Teams:
Australia: Steven Smith (captain), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.
