Winning momentum with Australia in the ODI series
There were question marks over the performance of the Australian team after they were thrashed 3-1 in the Ashes. The Kangaroos were not expected to perform well in the one-day internationals (ODIs) but to the surprise of everyone, they bounced back in the
ODI series and proved why they are the top ranked side in the format.
Australia has won the opening two matches of the seven-match ODI series and the strong English team looked vulnerable in the limited-over format. Both teams will be up against each other in the third match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
on 23 January.
Although the Kangaroos have shown some form against England in the first two matches, the team has been hit badly by injury problems. Several players have sustained injuries after the first two encounters.
Star Australian batsman Michael Hussey was ruled out of the series after he had a hamstring problem during the first ODI. Shaun Tait and Nathan Hauritz suffered injuries in the second match to give the selectors a real headache.
All these players were announced in the 15-member squad for the World Cup, which is due to start from 19 February. Apart from these players, the Australian captain Ricky Ponting also broke his finger during the Perth Test, which ruled him out of the ODI
series.
However, the injuries didn’t seem to trouble the Kangaroos as they brought in Shaun Marsh in place of Hussey. The young left-hander proved his worth after he stunned the English team with his exceptional century.
Australia has announced Xavier Doherty as a replacement for Hauritz, and he will also be looking forward to do well in the remaining matches.
The hosts will be confident about their batting, as Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 had players in both opening matches who scored centuries for them.
The team has won the matches courtesy individual performances though, as other batsmen have struggled to get runs.
The Aussie bowling has looked pretty decent in the ODI series. The return of Brett Lee and Tait has brought some much-needed fire-power that was missing in the team. Doug Bollinger has also complemented the attack bowlers very well.
On the other hand the English team has also been hit by injury problems. Their team has been below par in limited-over cricket. England is without their leading pacer James Anderson and leading off-spinner Graeme Swann.
Anderson has joined the team in Australia but is not expected to play in the third match of the series. Apart from Anderson, all-rounder Stuart Broad has been unfit as well during the Ashes series.
Michael Yardy has done well in the absence of Swann, but the team has clearly struggled without the off-spinner. The bowlers will need to lift their game in the next match in order to bounce back in the series.
The visitors have not been a shade closer to their batting form in the Ashes. They have been struggling to get runs and the lower middle-order has collapsed twice in the series.
Australia has the winning momentum at the moment, and if they win the third match of the series, it will be very difficult for the visitors to win four matches on the trot and take the series.
Tags: