Injury-hit Australia search for win against dominant England as hosts look to seal series

With back-to-back defeats in the first two ODIs, visiting Aussies, troubled by injuries, have a last chance to beat England and stay alive in the 5-match ODI series.

The Aussie juggernaut has failed to deliver in this series so far, with both bat and ball. Both matches have followed a similar pattern, with the openers getting off to a flier and then the team getting pegged back with continuous loss of wickets. One partnership from the middle order has saved them on both occasions, enabling them to play the entire 50 overs but the Extreme Performance Overs have been a worry. The batting looks strong but has failed to deliver with skipper Ricky Ponting accepting the responsibility of the middle order’s failure on his shoulders. The bowling department looks very weak in the absence of Johnson, Bracken and now Hauritz has also flown back due to injury. Absence of Hauritz means that Steven Smith gets the opportunity to play the remaining matches but apart from Ryan Harris, who bowled well in the first game and missed out the second due to injury, no other bowler has impressed so far.

England, on the other hand, would be mighty pleased, not only with their successive wins but with their consistency in the last 6 months. With Kieswetter in the opening line-up, they get off to quick starts and with Pietersen and Morgan in terrific form, the batting order seems to be without any problem. The bowling has been exceptional, with Broad leading the way in the wickets column. The only criticism from the English bowlers has been their incapability of taking an early wicket and it would be a good idea to try Broad with the new ball and try and stop the Aussies from getting off to a start. Yardy and Swann have done exceptionally well in the middle overs, not allowing the Aussie batsmen to up the run-rate.

England would be looking to shut down the series here itself with a win, while Australia, needing to win to stay alive in the contest, would be hoping to come hard, similar to the way they did when they were hit by injuries against India in October last year. But overall, an in-form England hold an edge over a patchy and weak Aussie side.