Australia vs England: Second ODI Preview

We preview the second ODI between Australia and England which is set to get underway on Friday 19 January at the Gabba.

A lengthy ODI series after a gruelling five-match Test affair and ahead of a meaningful T20I series threatened to lack context, but has quickly been inspired by Sunday’s thrilling opener in Melbourne.

Australia need to find the form they enjoyed throughout the Test series, while England would dearly love take a two-nil lead – and therefore be just one more win away from series triumph.

Australia v England | Friday, 19 January | The Gabba, Brisbane | 5:20

To Win Match
Australia 62/100 | Tie 35/1 | England 29/20

Australia
The Aussies had plenty of positives to take from the series opener despite defeat, including star showings from batsmen Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, but still require a more rounded performance from the bowlers.

They won’t have fast bowler Josh Hazlewood back in the ranks due to a viral infection and will be as to who to play instead – Jhye Richardson or Andrew Tye. Melbourne debutant Tye seems a feasible exit, but he was more economical than new-ball duo Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, if not as penetrative.

Plans to outdo the combative Jason Roy, meanwhile, must be firmly in place. Roy really enjoyed the quick pace of the ball in Melbourne – and conditions won’t differ much in Brisbane. Perhaps leg-spinner Adam Zampa or part-timer Travis Head have a bigger role to play against the big-hitting opener.

Australia have lost just one of their last dozen ODIs at The Gabba and, while they haven’t quite made Friday’s venue a fortress, they’ll certainly look to it for a boost amid an uncertain run of form in ODI cricket lately.

Captain Steven Smith showed a degree of vulnerability earlier this week, stating “England’s got to be up there as one of the best teams in the world in one-day cricket at the moment.” A fresh challenge to outgun ‘one of the best teams in the world’, indeed, beckons.

England
While Roy’s near double-century and Test captain Joe Root’s near ton claimed the bulk of the headlines after Melbourne’s encounter, the change of format clearly reinvigorated all-rounder Moeen Ali’s form – and long may it continue.

The inclusion of fast bowler Mark Wood was long overdue – and should have taken place during the Test series. However, he’s there now – and ensuring the left-handed David Warner and top-order company are kept as uncomfortable as possible.

The response of the rest of the batsman, if Roy or Root fail, will be key. Skipper Eoin Morgan, of course, will want to lead by example – and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has some recent Big Bash League game time to capitalise on.

There will be a temptation to open the batting with the aggressive Alex Hales, but that might be overkill alongside the equally-attacking Roy. The enterprising Jonny Bairstow, then, is the right foil to Roy.

Smith has noted England’s tendency to go hard at almost anything and everything bowled to them – and just bat around the steely Root. Australian plans, then, to mix up their bowlers’ line and lengths will be afoot. The English need to counter, too.

Verdict: England 27/20
While England have won neutral ODIs against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and other at The Gabba, they haven’t done so against the Australians since 1999, but should be able to do so almost two decades later.

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