AUS vs ENG, 4th ODI, Preview: Can Australia match England in Adelaide?

The man-in-form Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the game.

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Chris Woakes of England Celebrates with Teammates | CricTracker
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Chris Woakes of England celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

England have got over the dismal Ashes outing by rolling over Australia in the ongoing five-match One-Day International series. The visitors have already won the contest in the coloured clothing and the last couple of matches are going to dead rubbers for them. What about their opponents though? By no means, the game in Adelaide would be a formality for them. They would be bruised after the heart-breaking loss in Sydney and make amends in the remaining games of the series.

Australia, ever since winning the World Cup in 2015 at home, have struggled to make a statement in the limited overs format. They’ve just struggled to come to terms with the demands of the modern game which has changed over the last couple of years. Moreover, their star players have failed to step up when required the most. Their early exit from Champions Trophy last year and then the humiliation at the hands of India going with the series loss at home is a clear indication that they might need an overhaul ahead of the mega event next year.

England, on the other hand, have transformed themselves completely in the 50-overs format. They’ve almost two different teams now across the formats. The key to their consistent winning run is the fearless brand of cricket they play. Every time the team is in under pressure in this series, different players have put their hands up for them. The closest their opponents came to beat England was in Sydney when Jos Buttler slammed a sensational ton and win the trophy for them.

What they said?

Travis Head hoped to repeat the feat of adding 284 runs along with David Warner when he opened the innings last year on Australia Day. “If I get my opportunity tomorrow hopefully I can do the same, it’s a beautiful batting wicket and there’s plenty of runs out there. I feel like I’ve been playing well in the Big Bash, but I’m pretty disappointed with the way I’ve started in this series. I know it’s there I’ve just got to try and find it,” he told reporters on the eve of the game.

Chris Woakes confirmed that England won’t be easing up and are looking to go for a famous whitewash over the Aussies. “We’ve got the momentum and winning is a habit so we’ll be trying to do that in the last two games to secure a 5-0 whitewash,” he said ahead of the fourth ODI in Adelaide.

Playing Combination

Australia

Australia have seldom found themselves in this situation in the home series and it would be interesting to see the way they react in order to avoid the humiliation of a possible whitewash if they lose in Adelaide. Moreover, an injury to Aaron Finch, the highest run-getter of the series so far, has weakened their batting further. Glenn Maxwell was called in as cover into the squad but he is unlikely to get a chance in the playing XI.

Travis Head will open with David Warner at the top after regaining form in the Big Bash League during the break between the matches. It is Australia Day on January 26 and the team would want to gift a win to their fans.

Probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Cameron White, Steven Smith (c), Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

England

England team management has already made it clear that they will play their strongest XI to win the final two ODIs of the series. Though they would be forced to make one change as Liam Plunkett hasn’t recovered from the hamstring injury which he sustained during the third ODI. Tom Curran is the likeliest candidate to replace him with David Willey also vying for a place in the side. The batting line-up is in great form and they are unlikely to tinker with it at any cost.

Probable XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales, Joe Root,  Eoin Morgan (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Mark Wood

Head to Head Record:

Played – 140 Australia – 80 England – 55 NR – 3 Tie – 2

Focus will be on

Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith’s dismissal in Sydney caused a lot of controversy with the existence of soft signal being questioned by the skipper himself. Though his knock of 45 off 66 deliveries was a complete as he could hit only a solitary four during his painful stay in the middle. His inability to score quickly in the non-powerplay overs has put pressure on the other batsmen. He will need to play a captain’s knock if Australia has to match England’s skill and power in ODI format.

Jos Buttler (England)

All eyes will be on Jos Buttler after an amazing and swashbuckling innings at the SCG. Though the 82-ball century was the slowest of his career, he would rank it among the best as it came under the tough circumstances. The team was struggling with 6 down and the score was not even 200 when he started the assault. Another such outing for him would mean the Aussies are staring at the whitewash come the final match. Buttler himself will be eager to make the purple patch count and what better than whitewashing Australia down under.

Stat Attack

2- Chris Woakes need 2 more wickets to complete 100 ODI wickets

5 – Australia have won 5 out of 7 ODIs against England in Adelaide.

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