England and Australia face-off each other in the series decider game of the 3-matches ODI series at Manchester on Wednesday.
Match Timing: Sep 16, 5:30 PM IST
Team Preview
England and Australia meet in the final game of the thrilling ODI series. In first high-scoring, Australia sealed the game by 19 runs after Sam Billings’ hard-fought hundred. In the second ODI, Australia put a similar show but it was England who snatched the victory from the jaws of the defeat. England lost 8 on just 149 but Curran-Rashid put 76 runs stand to post an imposing total of 231. Archer got Warner and Stoinis to give England hope but Finch and Labuschagne set a solid base for the Aussies which was ended in a horrible collapse. Australia collapsed from 144/2 to 207 all out. The 26-runs victory helped the hosts to avoid a series defeat at home.
England haven’t lost a bilateral ODI series since 2015 and it gives them an upper hand ahead of the final game of the series. Warner and Roy’s form is a big concern and the middle-order issues are also a worrying sign for both sides. Manchester is giving a decent amount of help to spinners and pacers which could draw some thrilling element to the final ODI on Wednesday. Smith might be available for Australia and England is likely to go ahead with the same eleven.
Pitch Report
Old Trafford is a decent ODI ground that offers the same amount of help to batsmen and bowlers. Spinners take advantage of the surface in middle-overs. With the new ball, pacers pick the extra bounce from the track. The first 10 overs are always crucial for batsmen. The weather is absolutely clear on Wednesday, perfect cricketing conditions.
Possible XI
England
Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Billings, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
Australia
David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Key Players
England
Jonny Bairstow
Last 10 ODIs: Runs: 304, Avg: 33.77, SR: 96.50
Adil Rashid
Last 8 ODIs: Wickets: 14, SR: 33.2
Australia
Aaron Finch
Last 5 ODIs: Runs: 240, Avg: 48, SR: 70.58
Adam Zampa
Last 5 ODIs: Wickets: 12, SR: 24
