Group A of the Champions Trophy draws to a close on Saturday and it is all set for a fascinating finale. Matches between England and Australia never need any bigging up but this one has had plenty of it because for the tourists it is a must win match.
Australia know if they don’t win this match they will be out of the tournament largely before it has begun. England are through come what may but if they win here they will please the Bangladeshi public as it will send Australia out and the Tigers through.
England
Going into the tournament the questions on England were whether they could play with the batting freedom that they have displayed over the last 18 months which was of such brutal quality that it made them the favourites for the tournament. Two matches in and we know the answer to that as they have eased to a pair of 300 scorelines.
If there was a criticism of England after their first match it was about their bowling which was slightly off colour but that was answered in full in the second match against New Zealand and we have seen just why England are now expected to win this tournament next weekend. They are looking very good.
Australia
We’ve not really been able to make a complete judgement on Australia. I say that because to date all they’ve really done in the tournament is bowl as both of their batting efforts have been curtailed by rain. We maybe shouldn’t judge them in damp conditions but they were making a pig’s ear of things with the bat in their first match.
Australia were wretched with the ball in the opening match against New Zealand but they went much better against Bangladesh in their second match. They are going to need to be very solid with the ball in this match if they are to keep their hopes alive in this competition. They will need to bat well too.
Team News
England have confirmed that Jason Roy will play in this match and open the batting in what is expected to be an unchanged side. That is unless they decide to rest Ben Stokes with qualification secured.
Australia may also stick with the same side although with Moises Henriques offering precious little thus far they might decide to scare England by bringing Chris Lynn in for him.
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Betting
I’m looking forward to this match. You could argue that it is a dead rubber for England but this is England against Australia. These two don’t do dead rubbers and the chance to dump the Aussies out will be all the motivation England need here and that is exactly what I think they will do. There is no weakness in this England side and with confidence oozing through them I think they will win this. England always thrive at Edgbaston and against an Australian side with a few doubts with the bat England can be too good.
Although Australia haven’t fired with the bat in the tournament yet I do still think they will contribute to the six hitting. I say that because they are a proud side and smacking English bowlers out of the park is in their DNA but they’ve already been carted around Edgbaston in this tournament and haven’t faced this dynamite English batting line up. Between the two I expect them to combine for a dozen sixes on what is a new pitch for this one.
I’m going to go with one in the Australia batting market and Travis Head is the man I like here. I’m looking for someone who can play the long innings but give it a biff when needed and he fits the bill. More importantly he has played for Yorkshire so he will have faced the majority of England’s key bowlers regularly in the nets so at 8/1 he could be overpriced in this innings.
Tips
WON – Back England to beat Australia for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Bet365
Back them here:
Back Over 11.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Paddy Power
Back it here:
WON – Back T.Head Top Australia Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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