England vs Australia Warm-up Match Preview: TSR presents Predicted Playing 11, Toss prediction and Weather report for tomorrow’s clash
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The preparations for the mega ICC Cricket World Cup have begun. The Warm-up matches have commenced from Friday as each of the 10 teams will play two games each, with the main tournament set to kick- off from May 30, 2019.
On Day 2 of the Warm-up games, tournament favourites England will be up against the defending champions of the World Cup- Australia, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. There is of course some bad news for the English fans as their skipper might not feature in tomorrow’s game, courtesy an injured index finger.The Aussies, after a nightmare 2017-18 period have finally found good run of form as they have won the last two ODI Bilateral series against India and Pakistan- both away from home.
ALSO READ: India vs New Zealand Warm-up Match Preview
England have too been in stellar form as their ODI rankings clearly indicate. They have won their previous 5 of the 6 ODI series, including a 2-2 draw against the Windies at home this year.
The last time these two sides squared-off in 2018, the English side had annihilated the Aussies 5-0 at home.
England vs Australia warm-up match Preview
Form Guide
The English side has been in exceptional form with the bat as they chased down scores in excess of 340 thrice against the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan. Both the openers- Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy have been magnificent for their sides. In the middle-order, Ben Stokes was not in the midas touch prior the series against Pakistan, but has come back with decent scores of 37 and 71 with the bat in the same. He would be itching to score big in the two warm-ups before the main tournament commences.
The bowling department will be under the scanner on Saturday, especially the spin department who have failed to impress of late. Adil Rashid and the last-minute inclusion- Liam Dawson would look to bowl in the right areas and pick wickets during the middle overs. Pacers like Jofra Archer and Liam Plunkett would also like to continue bowling the way they have done thus far.
The Australian side too have had a dream run of form off-late akin England. While skipper Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja are in exceptional form, David Warner too has had a dream comeback with the bat after the infamous ban. He had also won the Orange Cap in the recently concluded IPL, for scoring the highest number of runs. It will be interesting where the team management decides to bat them. Wicket-keeper Alex Carey needs to get some practice under his belt, as he hasn’t got much opportunity to bat off-late.
In the bowling department, spinners Nathon Lyon and Adam Zampa have bowled economically throughout, but have not picked enough wickets recently, which would be crucial in the World Cup during the middle-overs.
Pacer Mitchell Starc would also make a comeback after a long time. The 2015 World Cup highest wicket-taker would look to repeat his performances yet again.
England vs Australia- Predicted Top playing 11
Although in a warm-up match any of the 15 players in the squad can be given an opportunity at some point in time during the game, the team management always has the 11 players in their mind, who they think need to get into their grooves, and play themselves in more than the other players.
For the Aussies, David Warner would be looking to get back in form after scratchy 3 unofficial games against New Zealand, where he could score only 42 runs. Steve Smith would too be itching to get used to the conditions as he has not played much cricket off-late due to very obvious reasons.
Spinners Nathon Lyon and Adam Zampa will be monitored for sure as spinners will be crucial in the middle-overs this tournament. Pacers Pat Cummings will look to continue his form, whereas Mitchell Starc would look to get back into his groove.
For England, eyes will be on the opener James Vince, as their skipper Eoin Morgan might not feature in tomorrow’s game with an injured index finger. The area of concern will be the bowling department who were pretty ordinary against Pakistan recently. All the three spinners will be tested, while Jofra Archer will be under the scanner.
England Top 11
Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, James Vince, Jason Roy, Liam Dawson, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Liam Plunkett, and Tom Curran
Australia Top 11
Aaron Finch(C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff
England vs Australia- Pitch and Weather Condition
There are chances that rain might play a spoilsport on Saturday with moderate or heavy rain showers predicted tomorrow.
The minimum temperature tomorrow will be 11 degress Celsius while the maximum will be around 20 degrees Celsius.
Another belter of a track will be on offer for the two sides as they will look to continue their merry way heading into the World Cup. The spinners might find some help in the middle overs with the likes of Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Nathan Lyon, and Adam Zampa expected to come into play.
Toss prediction
Whoever wins the toss would definitely look to bat first and garner some batting form ahead of the main tournament, due to the aforementioned reasons.
The viewers are most likely expected to be greeted with a run-fest tomorrow, with some bad news for the budding and future bowlers across the globe.
Where would the match telecast?
With the official broadcaster Star, deciding to broadcast all the warm-up matches, the clash between the two sides will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and Hotstar, and will commence from 03:00 IST.
