We preview the second ODI between Australia and England which is set to get underway on Friday 19 January at the Gabba.
After an intense five-match Test series and with a meaningful T20I showdown on the horizon, this ODI series promised to be a stretched affair with little meaning. However, Sunday’s electrifying opener in Melbourne has breathed new life and context into the competition.
The Aussies will be looking to recapture the form they displayed during the Test series, while the English side are eager to clinch a 2-0 lead and edge closer to winning the series.
Australia v England | Friday, 19 January | The Gabba, Brisbane | 5:20 PM
To Win Match
Australia 62/100 | Tie 35/1 | England 29/20
Australia
Despite falling short in the series opener, Australia took positives from performances of key batsmen Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis. Yet, they require a stronger all-round bowling effort.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss out due to a viral infection, leaving selectors to choose between Jhye Richardson or Andrew Tye. Tye, debuting in Melbourne, was more economical than the new-ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, though less threatening.
Plans to counter England’s aggressive opener Jason Roy, who thrived on Melbourne’s pace, must be solid. The Brisbane conditions are expected to be similar, so leg-spinner Adam Zampa or part-timer Travis Head might have pivotal roles in bowling to Roy.
Historically, Australia has lost only one of the last dozen ODIs held at The Gabba. Though it’s not a fortress, this ground offers a boost, especially as the Aussies have faced inconsistent ODI form recently.
Captain Steven Smith recently acknowledged England as “one of the best teams in the world in one-day cricket at the moment,” setting up a fresh challenge for the hosts.
England
The headlines were dominated by Jason Roy’s near double-century and Test captain Joe Root’s near ton in Melbourne, but the shift to ODI cricket saw all-rounder Moeen Ali regain form, which is great news for the visitors.
Mark Wood’s inclusion bolsters the pace attack and should have happened earlier during the Test series. Now he’s in, the plan is to make top-order batsmen like David Warner as uncomfortable as possible.
The English middle order must respond strongly if Roy or Root don’t perform, with skipper Eoin Morgan aiming to inspire his team and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler building on his Big Bash League form.
Alex Hales’ aggressive opening style might be overkill alongside Roy, so Jonny Bairstow is likely to provide a safer, complementary option at the top of the order.
Smith has remarked on England’s approach of aggressively attacking almost everything bowled while batting around Root. Australia will thus try to vary their bowling lengths and line to unsettle England, while England must adapt accordingly.
Verdict: England 27/20
The English team have won neutral venue ODIs at The Gabba against teams like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Although they haven’t beaten Australia there since 1999, they might just break that nearly two-decade drought this time around.
