At home, England is no doubt the favourite to roll over the Australian team which will be without the suspended duo of Steve Smith, David Warner, injured pacers Jos Hazelwood, Mitch Star, Pat Cummins and Mitch Marsh.
The last time Australia won the limited overs leg in 2015, Mitch Marsh was the key allrounder. Pat Cummins made a comeback to international cricket after more than three years, impressing everyone before going under the knife once again.
Australia who couldn’t beat England at their best at home earlier this year will be expected to suffer the same fate.
But with new coach Justin Langer who has experience of revitalising the state team of Perth and new captain Tim Paine fresh off a comeback from nowhere last year – can Australia produce magic?
Australia is in the same spot of bother as England were in back in 2015 after an early World Cup exit – albeit for different reasons.
The World Champions in this format look five balls behind.
Unless they address few issues which saw them lose all ODI series played after Pakistan in 2017, much unsettlement will grow into the team.
More particularly, it plays into the mind of people as they could lose crowd support for what’s been happening over past few months.
But all is not lost as Australia have some bright talent waiting in the wings such as D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser, and Jhye Richardson.
Richardson impressed one an all in his debut against England earlier this year and will get the extended opportunity and will look to continue his form.
Short has had success in the BBL season and T-20 international against England and New Zealand. He will look to fill spot vacant by David Warner.
Stanlake had an impressive start to IPL before his injury and will look to do the job of enforcer.
However, the more important role will be that of Tim Paine – the captain and wicketkeeper.
In such a time, his team will look up to him to serve them the motivation needed to kickstart the new era.
His contribution with the bat will be vital, whether that’s opening the innings to give them blazing start, or in the middle order.
If Australia bats first, his blows at the end will see a motivated captain leading the troops on the field and with his aggressive mindset thinking two steps ahead of the opposition.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Gallo Images)
This will be the only way to make England work hard to earn the win.
Perhaps, looking at how England go at the top could be a way to start things for Australia with Tim Paine controlling the middle order with quick singles and twos with occasional boundary while Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis bat for quick runs.
At number seven, Paine despite batting decent enough has still not looked, the number seven limited over the team wants.
In the last series against England – batting at seven – Paine made scores of 27, 31*, 25* and 34. While that is a handy contribution, the downside was not one of those knocks came at a strike rate of more than the 100 typically expected from a finisher.
Perhaps his comeback games meant more pressure on him.
So batting at three he assesses the situation, and if wickets fall, he still gets to face the new hardball which he can drive through cover or perhaps clip the ball of his hips.
We saw in the Ashes Test series against South Africa just how good of a batsman he can be. Perhaps Langer will utilise him to full effect and make him bat at the position left vacant by the suspended Steve Smith.
Australia needs Paine to stand up and lead the way. Whether with the bat or even in the field, affecting quick stumping, employing great tactics or even taking a half chance to motivate the troop on the field.
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