Can Australia shrug off their opening ODI defeat or will England go 2-0 up when the two sides face off in the second ODI of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this second ODI from 2:20pm (AEDT) on Friday.
The win in the first ODI both came as a relief for England and continued the Australian nightmare in this format of the game.
England’s near-whitewash in the Ashes might not get papered over by an ODI series win in Australia but it would go a long way in installing them as one of the pre-tournament favourites going into the 2019 World Cup.
Australia came into series with a 5-8 win-loss record in 2017 and that first defeat at the MCG only added to their string of losses. And concerns.
At the halfway stage at the G, Aaron Finch’s brilliant century would have put the Aussies in front but Jason Roy looked to have stunned the bowlers. Not too many were left with answers and the comprehensive result that followed in England’s favour had even Australia admitting they needed to tweak their white-ball template around.
For starters they might have to make at least one change to their lineup, if not two. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the game which means Jhye Richardson will get a cap for this one. Pat Cummins continues to get a well-deserved break.
The other issue is with Tim Paine, who has suffered a bout of gastro, which means if he doesn’t recover in time for the game, his place would be taken by Alex Carey. Carey’s BBL form has been exemplary and it might not be a bad thing if he does get a go.
What Australia will need the most is for at least one of David Warner or Steve Smith to get going with the bat.
England don’t have Ben Stokes, which hurt them in the Tests but the presence of a sterling middle-order provides batsmen like Roy and Alex Hales a free hand to go after the bowling.
What was interesting to watch was Moeen Ali’s comeback following a lacklustre Ashes with the ball. His 10 overs cost him just 39 and prevented Australia from getting away in the middle overs of the first game.
Australia have an excellent record at the Gabba, with 10 previous completed games resulting in nine wins for them. Interestingly, the only two teams they have lost to at this ground since 2008 have been Asian sides, Sri Lanka and India.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this second ODI from 2:20pm AEDT on January 19.
TC123
Guest
At least one Kiwi enjoyed it. Nothing like seeing the Australians get spanked on their own turf especially when the selectors leave 3 or 4 of their best players out. I doubt many cricketing nations fear Australia at the moment. Sad times
DavSA
Guest
Daddy , Kholi played one of the greatest ever innings by a test batsman in the first innings , second test against South Africa . Yes dude , it is not only Australians and poms that can play cricket . Poor comment.
ThugbyFan
Guest
To pick a team, you need only quality fast bowlers, one quality spin bowler and a sidekick who bowls the other way (or arm) and doesn't go for 9 an over and S.Smith at #4. He never has been and never will be a #3. On the other side, Uzzy Khawaja IS a #3 batsman who has been very successful in ODI and T20 formats. I fell off my chair when someone said he wasn't picked as he is a sloth in the field, and M.Marsh and C.White are Ursain Bolt?? Travis Head is out of form batting and his bowling is barely 1st grade suburban. G.Matthews is a good batsman but his bowling is a poor-man's N.Lyon and your two spinners must be different so Glenn also misses out. Using the above criteria my ODI team is: Openers: D.Warner and A.Finch #3 U.Khawaja #4. S.Smith (C) #5. M.March or M.Stoinis. Having both is OK for batting but weakens the bowling as a unit, so only one please. They can rotate if you like. #6 and LH offbreaks A.Agar or D.Short. Agar is likely the better bowler but Short is explosive. #7 and WK. A.Carey or T.Paine. Carey is the better batsman but Paine is the better gloveman. #8, #9 and #10. Quickie bowlers 3 of M.Starc, J.Hazelwood, P.Cummins, J.Richardson and C.Tremain (who can bat also), Ensure the selected 3 offer different problems to the batsmen. (Keep A.Tye for the T20 sloggathons). #11 and RH offbreaks. N.Lyon You now have proper batsmen right down to #7, and 2-3 pretty fair sloggers at #8-#10, so no excuses for poor scores. But what makes this team so much better than the rubbish sides put out at the Gabba and MCC is your bowling unit is much more dangerous. Three quality pacemen with 1 medium pacer backup if someone is hurt or misfires, PLUS the GOAT World's #1 spin bowler and a pretty handy left hand offbreak bowler offering different angles. Plus you still have A.Finch or S.Smith as part time spin if a total disaster (as in Melbourne and Brisbane anyway). Like England I would love to get a leggie in there but A.Zampa is out of form and all the others are too old or out of favour, so the 2nd spinner is either Agar or Short. A bonus is both are destructive batsmen.
Daddy
Guest
Can we get a better commentator please? "what’s it with captains these days after what Virat Kohli did over the first two Tests in South Africa" What did koli do in south Africa? Also his writing is hardest to read than my little brother with featal alcohol.
Cantab
Guest
I disagree, averages 60+ in international cricket and 50+ in domestic cricket and with a poor economy rate.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Stoinis is too incosistent?Do you even watch cricket?If you did,you wouldn't have made such a dumb assessment.
Mitch
Guest
Unbeatable XI Warner Finch S marsh Smith Stoinis Carey Maxwell Starc Coulter Nile Hazelwood Ahmed/Lyon
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Can't agree with you about Stoinis. He had a quiet one tonight but he's played some terrific ODIs in the past. I'd be happy to see Lyon back, keep Marsh and Stoinis in the team and drop either Head or White. Warner Finch Smith Head or White Marsh Stoinis Paine or Carey Starc Tye Hazlewood or Richardson Lyon And Smith needs to explain why Mitch Marsh didn't bowl a single over, Stoinis only bowled 4 and Head and March bowled 10 overs between them for 72
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Enjoy it Andy.
anon
Roar Pro
Australia have lost 9 out of 10 now. This must surely be the worst run an Australian team has experienced. The sad thing is tonight came down to poor selections and poor tactics. That's the thing that hurts. Smith and the selectors have handed an almost insurmountable 2-0 lead to the poms. We’re one of the worst ODI teams in the world based on recent performances and one of the worst T20i teams over a long sample size. Australia are stuck in some kind of time warp with regards to limited overs cricket. Just witness the other week the captain publicly blasting a player for his “funky shots”. That’s the mentality in a nut shell. Smith is proving what I have always said. Wonderful Test batsmen, but poor manager of men and tactically not smart. Also, Smith not the same batsman when he's forced to score and make things happen rather than sit back and score at 3 runs per over. Needs to lift his game in ODI and T20i cricket especially. Team missed the contribution of Maxwell tonight. He can score a 65 off 35 that changes the course of the match. It also forces his teammates to score at a decent clip too. Maxwell also gets bums on seats. Cameron White does not and never has. Cameron White in the Australian team is one of life's mysteries I have never wrapped my head around.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
You have to question Smith's captaincy tonight. Bowl Head and Finch before Marsh? Richardson was good. Tye unlucky,but maybe field placements let him down once his deliveries started gripping in the pitch.
E-Meter
Guest
Fair enough. But Australia aren’t even competitive. England would have handled a 330 chase with ease.
1st&10
Guest
He is too raw for international cricket
1st&10
Guest
Fast bowler depth is one thing Aus do not have to worry about. One the spinner front You must ask where is Lyon ? Stoinos is just too inconsistent for this level As for Warner, the Batting bogan shouldn’t be using internationals to find form. That’s what state and club cricket is for
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Thanks Suneer. Comprehensive win by England. Finch played a lone hand among the batsmen and the decision to play 7 batsmen and no spinner was bewildering. Time for Nathan Lyon to come back into the team and give Head or White a rest. Why didn't Mitch Marsh bowl a couple of overs. Surely he offers more than head and Finch. The Aussies are not playing as a unit at the moment - seem to be suffering a hangover after the Ashes celebration no matter what they say.
Andy
Guest
Speaking as an England fan you'll understand if I disagree
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another ODI to forger for Australia. For starters there were some baffling selections - what's it with captains these days after what Virat Kohli did over the first two Tests in South Africa - and that was followed by a surprising batting-order. With no support for Finch - and he made his second century in as many games - Australia ended 30-40 runs short of what might have been a stiffer chase. They had the foundation but no-one else batted long enough and hard enough. They might have even made a fist of defending this total against another team but England love chasing and they have the batting to do that. They have the batsmen just needed for the job and that's how it panned out. Roy got out early but fifties from Bairstow and Hales rolled the side forward and then the rest of them chipped in with what was needed. Root was the glue at one end while the rest of them smashed the ball around to carry the side home with 34 balls to spare. That's that from me. Be back for what I hope would be a closer next game this Sunday. Later.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
FOUR Over: 44.2 Score: 6/271
That's the end of that. A four through backward point for Woakes before he lofts it high over the mid-on for another boundary. Woakes' unbeaten 39 has seen England through to a comfortable win in the 45th over.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Over: 43.6 Score: 6/266
Wonder why didn't Mitchell Marsh bowl earlier. So many overs from Head that went for so many and Marsh was held back. He comes on for his first and concedes just a single from the first five balls.. ...before a lofted shot ends up in a three. Four off it.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Give me the Big Bash any day.