Australia vs England 2nd ODI – Match Preview
The battle resumes between England and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, but, apart from
that, the World Champions did not seem to be performing according to their true potential. England, for their part, played quite well in the first game, but were undone in the end. There was some pressure in the first match on the players as places for the
World Cup were up for grabs, but now, with the World Cup squads announced, both teams can get back to the business at hand.
The win in the ODI series is definitely something that the Aussies need more than England. The visitors have already proved their dominance over Australia by a resounding win in the 5 match Ashes series. It was not just the 3 Test wins, but the manner in
which England got them. The humiliation will certainly drive Australia to perform to its utmost in the ODI series.
Australia will be without the serives of Michael Hussey in the 2nd match, as he is out due to a hamstring injury. He may be replaced by Shaun Marsh. Furthermore, Mitchell Johnson, the left arm pacer, is believed to be suffering from a throat infection, and
Shaun Tait would be back to replace him. One more change is more to do with the preparation for the World Cup; Xavier Dorthey, the left arm spinner who was not picked in the World Cup squad, would be replaced by Nathan Haurtiz, who made the final cut.
For England, wicketkeeper batsman, Matt Prior will be back in the team. Steve Davies, who was not chosen in the World Cup squad, would be replaced. Prior had not flown home after the Ashes as he was taking part in the T-20 big bash in Australia, and, following
his two centuries in the Ashes, he should be eager to impress in the T-20s as well. Graeme Swann is not 100% fit and has a knee problem, and is to be replaced by James Tredwel, while Michael Yardy would be the spinner in the team.
Kevin Pietersen would, no doubt, once again be crucial to England's chances. The right hander scored 78 runs in the first match and, alongside Eoin Morgan, would be the mainstay of the English innings. Prior is likely to open alongside Strauss as Davies
has been sidelined, and he may also be expected to open in the World Cup.
This is the final series for both teams before the World Cup. The last time England visited Australia, they lost the Ashes 5-0, but ended the tour by winning the tri series by beating Australia in the finals. Now that they have won the Ashes, Strauss has
emphasized that there would be no let up and his team is focused on making this a perfect tour by also winning the ODI series.
Tags: