England have enjoyed a largely successful home summer but will play their first ODI since the three-match series against Ireland which concluded in early August.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Australia come into the series perhaps marginally stronger in the fifty-over format and with the same extended squad that lost the T20I.
First ODI | Friday 11 September 2020 | Old Trafford, Manchester | 14:00
To Win Match
England 82/100
Tie 25/1
Australia 21/20
England
Every member of the England squad has been involved in the action in their home summer barring uncapped batsman Phil Salt.
Unlike the previous series, this summer England have named a smaller squad opting to pick just 13 players to go into the international bio-bubble.
Joe Root returns to the fold, having missed the T20I series against Pakistan and Australia. Root has been in decent touch for Yorkshire while away from the England group, scoring two 50s in three Vitality Blast T20s.
In the absence of Jason Roy, England are likely to turn to Tom Banton and Jonny Bairstow to open the batting for the hosts.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood should lead England with ball in hand while spinner Adil Rashid has proven to be a key man for the Three Lions in white-ball cricket.
Australia
Australia play their first ODI since international cricket was called off and will want to show that they have kept pace with world champions England having lost to them in last year’s World Cup semi-finals.
Coach Justin Langer suggested in the week that he was yet to firm up his ideas of who will be in the playing XI, but some names should already be pencilled in.
Openers David Warner and Aaron Finch are automatic starters if they are at full fitness and pose the greatest threat to the England bowlers.
Steve Smith is also one of the first names that will go down, but there remains some doubt around fellow middle-order man Marnus Labuschagne.
Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis could be fighting it out for one or two spots in the finisher slots.
Mitchell Starc has begun to find his range and will take the new ball. Skipper Finch will no doubt deploy the quick in search of early wickets to prevent the potent England batting from building up a head of steam.
Verdict: England 82/100
The world champs should have the goods.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
