Australia will be looking to wrap up the ongoing series against England as the visitors seek to take an unassailable lead when the two teams clash for the third of five ODIs at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday, September 11.
The lack of firepower in the English batting lineup showed the last time around. Although Kevin Pietersen and Johnathan Trott were on it, the English batsmen failed to pose a reply to the Australians, who had set a commanding total of 315 in the last ODI.
Pietersen did score a half-century opening the batting, however, his effort along with the efforts of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler were not enough to drag their team across the finish line.
The likes of Joe Root, Trott, Ravi Bopara have to get their act right in Birmingham. It is extremely important for the English middle order to capitalize on the starts provided by the top order.
England have been finding it extremely difficult to cope without their holy trinity of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Graeme Swann as their replacements – Steve Finn, James Tredwell, and Ben Stokes were taken to the cleaners by the Australian batsmen.
The bowlers simply have to get their act right or the selectors will be left with egg on their faces after deciding to rest some of their best players.
As far as the visitors are concerned, Australia will be looking to bring their A-game to the park on Wednesday. Skipper Michael Clarke is in the form of his life while George Bailey is doing pretty well for himself as was evident on his last outing.
Shane Watson was unlucky to fall victim to what was clearly a contentious decision while Aaron Finch missed out on what would have been a well deserved half century after playing a rash shot in the last game.
The Australian bowling is extremely well balanced at the present time and with Mitchell Johnson in fine form, I will certainly put my money on the kangaroos to come out on top on Wednesday.
The England v Australia 3rd ODI is a day-night encounter and will start off at 2pm local time.