Australia and England will look to fine-tune their preparations for the 2015 World Cup as they go head to head in the first of the ODIs of the Carlton Tri-Series on Friday. You can follow the live blog on The Roar from 2:20pm (AEDT).
The upcoming matches make an important series for both teams – and India, the third side in the tri-series – for more reasons than one.
First; all sides will look to get their hone their combinations before the 2015 World Cup.
Second; the teams also need to get into the rhythm of playing in ODI cricket in Australian conditions, something that all teams need to do given the circumstances.
Australia are just coming off a four-match Test series while England’s previous ODI series came in Sri Lanka where the pitches are never going to hold a candle to those in Australia.
The tournament also presents an opportunity to give their main guys enough rest going into the World Cup. The last time the tournament was played in Australia and New Zealand, the hosts Australia had been exhausted by the longish prelude to the competition, and weren’t left with enough gas in the tank.
England also have a point to prove. Written off by most experts in this format, they can do themselves a huge favour by notching up a couple of wins in this tri-series, making it to the final and probably even wining the tournament.
Playing under a new captain, Eoin Morgan, who is looking to establish himself in that role following the sacking of Alastair Cook, the young England side will hope to continue with the form that was on display in the warm-up games.
They played two and won both with consummate ease. And the few question-marks they had were also erased for the time-being, especially with the cementing of Ian Bell’s position at the top of the ODI order.
His 187 against the Prime Minister’s XI was a top innings, and even if it came in easy conditions they would have given him a lot of confidence.
The George Bailey-led Australian outfit will be without a few of their key men but the rest look to have enough potency to topple England in the series opening match.
There will be no Michael Clarke, Mitchell Marsh or Mitchell Johnson, while Josh Hazlewood could also be rested.
That will put the onus on the likes of Shane Watson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to conjure up enough magic while Bailey knows he does not have too much time to resume his run-getting, something he hasn’t really done in recent times.
Australia will be a confident side too. After having steamrolled South Africa in a five-match ODI series, they had absolutely no issue to beating India in the Tests that followed.
Steven Smith and David Warner have turned into run-scoring machines and this will be a format they will like.
The one question-mark will be on the selection of Xavier Doherty in the starting XI and whether the Sydney pitch will have much for him.
A frontline spinner is a must and on a flat track, as Sydney is, his presence assumes even more importance.
You can follow the live score of this 1st ODI between Australia and England from 2:20pm local time on Friday and post your comments in the section below.
Don Freo
Guest
I know that...these are the boys who played for Australia while another 13 were winning the Matador Cup. 17 of the best players in ODD and ODI....when you add them to the Oz side...wow! That's why I say an Oz second 11 would play with the first 11 in a WC final...if we could field a second side.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Didn't play in the Matador cup, didn't play in the Matador cup, didn't play in the Matador cup, got selected for Australia based on Matador cup performance and got belted right back to domestic cricket by Russouw, Miller, and De Villiers.
Don Freo
Guest
Johnson, Marsh, Marsh, NCN...
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Who cares about the Matador cup.. all the actual good one day players were in the squad that won the ODIs against Pakistan 3-0 and didn't play in it.
Don Freo
Guest
Imagine how good Oz will be if they included at least one player from the Matador Cup champions.
JimmyB
Guest
When has there ever been any respect for any English side in Australia? Genuine question btw.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Mitchell Starc is the man-of-the-match for his four-for. That's all she wrote for tonight. I am out of here and won't be around for the second ODI. But the live blog and score for that game between Australia and India on Sunday will continue on The Roar. Hope to see you around soon! Ciao.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
England looked to have fought back well from the atrocious start they got while batting. Eoin Morgan played a matured innings of a century and brought them to 234 before being bowled out. Mitchell Starc grabbed a four-for after getting two wickets off the first two balls of the innings. Warner set up the chase with a century, despite a scratchy start, only his third ODI ton. He was ably helped by Steven Smith and by the time he got out, the question was whether or not Australia would get to their target in less than 40 overs to get the bonus point or no. They did.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And that's that, Faulkner has pulled it through mid-wicket to get the two runs for Australia to win the game...A bonus point too and that's started off Australia's Carlton tri-series campaign in style.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And gone! Run-out! Seven down... ...Haddin was at the non-striker and went for a single. Faulkner had dug it out to mid-wicket and it went straight to him. Haddin was way down the pitch when he was sent back and the fielder had ample time to run towards the stumps to get him out. Two needed, two balls for the Bonus Point and three wickets in hand.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Haddin moves around in his crease and manages to dab it to the leg-side for a single. Two needed from four.
Mattw
Guest
Least smiths slow starts turn out to be fine once he gets going, Bailey doesn't get to that point. Agree with you entirely.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single for Haddin and then a pull first ball from Faulkner that's gone to the fence. 13 from the over, they need just three more.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Attempted Switch-Hit by Warner goes straight to hand and then a full-toss has been banged over short fine-leg for a four. Eight needed from nine. But Warner's gone off the next! Slower one from Woakes and it's been sliced to backward point. Australia have lost their sixth in an attempt to get the runs quickly enough and still need eight.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Clobbered down the ground for a four! This is the last Powerplay over and Warner has smashed it to the right of mid-on fielder. 5/223 in 38.1
Big Steve
Guest
how is bailey in the one day team. he had a great run of form a year or two ago but he consistently kills the run rate with his slow scoring and plays irresponsible shots to get out.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Shot. Baseballed it over mid-wicket for a four by Warner. The fourth boundary of the over. A single from the last ball of the Broad over makes it 18 from it. 16 needed from 12 balls.
Mattw
Guest
Oh maxwell at least go out trying something exotic! Shame smith had to go get himself bowled, only other batsman apart from Warner to look like hanging around unsurprisingly.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Third four in a row and this was the riskiest of the three strokes. He has moved away from the line, creates room and slams it through point for a four. Third four and all in different directions! A single to fine-leg to bring the runs required down to 21 from 14.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Nice, juicy half-volley from Broad and Haddin has spanked it down the ground for a four... ...and he follows it up with another four, which is off a pull through mid-wicket. That pulls it down to 26 needed from 16 for the BP.