England vs Australia – 3rd ODI – Match Preview
History beckons for impressive http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the third One Day International, played at Edgbaston, today, July 4, 2012.
With the series having little meaning earlier, all has changed in a matter of days following the home side’s resounding displays in the opening two games. The wins have come on the back of some intelligent cricket, with every player doing justice to his place.
The Alastair Cook-Ian Bell opening partnership has proven to be exemplary, while the middle-order looks solid with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eoin-Joseph-Gerard-Morgan-c56032 in great nick. Then the team has depth in the bowling department, with every player seemingly hungry to chip in more than his share.
Post http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 retirement, England has not lost a series and remain on course to create history. A win at Edgbaston will give them their seventh straight series win at home and stretch their unbeaten run to nine matches for this year – a new record.
They started the year with a 4-0 win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, and followed that up by whitewashing West Indies. Both above teams were considered favourites but were thoroughly outplayed by the English contingent.
While Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978. However, the Poms have managed to get the better of the no.1 ODI side in the opening two games and one cannot rule out a possibility of another clean sweep – the odds of which are still stacked against the hosts.
Nonetheless, England’s belief is sky high at this point and they will be confident of setting up or chasing down any total at Edgbaston. The policy of playing specialists has worked wonders and there is no reason for them to change the winning formula.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Surrey-c851 teammate. Dernbach has further been ruled out for the remainder of series, owing to a side strain, finally opening a place for Chris Woakes.
The visitors have plenty to ponder after been stalled in their quest to cement their place as the top ODI team. Their pace-attack was touted as their main strength but so far no one has been able to light the series alive.
Unfortunately or fortunately for the tourists, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MG-Johnson-c1945 looked out of sorts in his return game.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653 – the most successful pairing in recent times, albeit in the Test arena.
The batting line-up is settled and just needs to fire on all cylinders. The top-order has been getting starts but has failed to capitalize, leaving extra pressure on someone like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380, who then has to balance aggression with accumulation.
Overall assessment suggests that the Aussies still have not hit top gear, but need to quickly sort out their rustiness and claim a much-needed win to keep the series alive.
Edgbaston, this term, has not been kind for cricket lovers and showers are expected again. A reduced match could be on the cards, which makes the toss all so important.
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