Personnel consistency key for England in 1st ODI v Australia
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It was the limited-overs outfit that started the good times within English cricket this summer, with their fearless aggression against New Zealand. Now, after the Test team have reclaimed the Ashes, the coloured-kit unit are charged with keeping the party going.
They’ve made a good start, winning the only T20I with Australia in Cardiff, but start the first of a five-game ODI series against the old enemy as 5/4 outsiders at Lord’s.
That’s because the 8/13-rated visitors are the World Cup holders and the number-one ranked side in the 50-over format.
Australia are far from the same unit that ousted the Kiwis on home soil in March. The retired Michael Clarke has been replaced as captain by Steven Smith. Matthew Wade has filled Brad Haddin’s wicketkeeper gloves and Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazelwood are rested.
England, meanwhile, have made minimal changes to the squad that just claimed a tight 20-over victory over Smith’s men in Wales, which can often be pointed to as the foundation for a successful side.
There isn’t a single player in the English batting order that will look to occupy the crease when they get to it, a stark change to the plodding tactics that have gone before in ODI cricket.
With that in mind 5/6 on Eoin Morgan’s men to hit the most sixes looks juicy, while 1/1 on the hosts scoring more runs after the first 15 overs also warrants respect.
Moeen Ali proved his worth as a top-order batsman at Sophia Gardens, scoring 72 not out at number three in the T20. The Worcestershire all rounder is 4/1 to be England’s leading scorer at the Home of Cricket.
For Australia, Pat Cummins could be the x-factor with the ball in Johnson’s absence. He routinely surpassed 91mph with his bowling in Wales and is rated at 10/3 to be the visitors’ top wicket taker at Lord’s.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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