After a disastrous Ashes series, England will look to gain some pride from their tour of Australia when they do battle with their old rival in the limited overs formats over the next month. That begins with a five match ODI series which starts on Sunday.
Schedule
1st ODI: Jan 14 at Melbourne
2nd ODI: Jan 19 at Brisbane
3rd ODI: Jan 21 at Sydney
4th ODI: Jan 26 at Adelaide
5th ODI: Jan 28 at Perth
Australia
This was once a format where Australia were as strong if not stronger than anyone in it but over the last 18 months or so they have chopped and changed a lot and if anything they have hampered their side rather than enhanced it. The sheer nature of rivalry whenever these two meet is likely to ensure there is no change for change sake here.
Australia’s domestic cricket is in the middle of the Big Bash so the players in their squad who have not been featuring in The Ashes will be tuned up to the white ball which could give Australia an edge over the course of the five matches. The potential to bring in quality players should they get injuries should not be underestimated.
England
On the flip side to Australia, this format is the one England have really targeted over the last 12-18 months as they prepare to host the World Cup next year. They have completely changed their style from the last time they were playing one day cricket in Australia and it will be good to see them test that in these conditions.
Everything England did wrong in the Test series they generally don’t do in limited overs cricket anymore. They are aggressive with the bat and they go in search of wickets with the ball and are relentless in that approach. Despite all that they failed to win the one big match they’ve had recently which was the Champions Trophy semi-final.
Head to Head
There have been 20 bilateral ODI series between these two sides with Australia having the edge in them. They have won 12 and lost just eight of those series and that includes winning the last three. The Aussies have more of an edge in matches where they have won 39 and lost just 28 of the 70 games the two have played. There has also been a tie and two no results.
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Betting
Australia are the warm favourites to win this series and I see them winning it but they are a little short for my liking with the dangerous matchwinners that England have in their ranks and indeed the number of them so I’ll go to the player markets for a bet on the series.
We have seen right throughout the Big Bash that the Australians are terrible at playing leg spin and so Adil Rashid to lead the wicket taking for England makes sense. He was excellent in the Big Bash last season and led the wicket list when these two last met in an ODI series. Over the course of the five matches I fancy he will be the one that Australia look to get after the most which could play right into his hands.
Tips
WON – Back A.Rashid Top England Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.33 with Bet365
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