Australia took a 1-0 lead after defeating England in the first ODI by 19 runs in a well-fought contest. It was an all-round team effort by the Australians which helped them defeat the World Cup champions. Australia was five down with not much on the board but contrasting fifties from Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell helped them reach a total of 294-9 in their 50 overs.
The Australian bowlers started on the right note with the perfect line and length as they didn’t allow the English batsmen to get off to a flyer. As a result, England lost some quick wickets. Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings put up a partnership but there was too much to catch up and they couldn’t as they fell short by 19 runs in the end.
Australia will look to continue the winning momentum which they have got by winning two consecutive matches whereas England needs to win this game if they want to stay in the series. Once again, it would be a cracking contest between these two teams at the same venue on Sunday.
Match Details
England vs Australia, 2nd ODI
13th September, 05:30 PM IST.
Old Trafford, Manchester
Pitch and Weather Prediction
The good news is that the weather is most probably going to be sunny throughout the day. The temperature might be in the mid-20s as there might be no chance of rain during the game.
If the same pitch is being used for the 2nd ODI, then the pitch might have slowed up a bit. A score around 270-280 might be a good one if you are defending a total.
Squads
England
Eoin Morgan (C), Joe Root, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid
Reserves: Dawid Malan, Phil Salt, Saqib Mahmood
Australia
Aaron Finch (C), Steve Smith, David Warner, Alex Carey (WK), Josh Philippe, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Daniel Sams, Sean Abbot, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Riley Meredith, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
Team News
England
England bowled well for the most of the fifty overs but couldn’t control the game in the middle-overs with Marsh and Maxwell batting. Their top order, barring Jonny Bairstow failed to make a big score which resulted in them falling short of the target.
Sam Billings who had been in great form in the Ireland series, hit his maiden century for England in ODI cricket. Even though England lost the first ODI, most likely England will go in with the same XI. They trust this bunch of players to level the series 1-1 before going into the third ODI.
Australia
Australia’s middle-order which had question marks over them delivered in the first ODI as Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh scored match-winning half-centuries. The Australian bowlers were right on the money from the word go as Josh Hazlewood constantly troubled the batsmen with his accuracy.
Adam Zampa picked up wickets at crucial junctures which derailed the England chase time and again. Steve Smith who missed the first ODI due to a concussion needs to pass a test before he is eligible for the 2nd ODI. If he is fit, then he might get back in the XI, other than that most probably there won’t be any changes.
Fantasy Prediction
Aaron Finch, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Sam Billings, Jonny Bairstow, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Jofra Archer, Josh Hazlewood, Adil Rashid
Captain: Glenn Maxwell, Vice-Captain: Jonny Bairstow
