Australia vs England 2013-14: 2nd ODI - Visitors look to end Aussie's dominance

Match Facts

January 17, 2014

Start Time 1320 (0850 IST)

Johnson is back for second ODI which could make things difficult for England

Australia lost the Investec Ashes series in England, but managed to win the one-day series 2-1. The same kind of contrasting result was expected in this series. England lost the Ashes, but was expected to perform better in one-day series. England have already won a CB series in 2006-07, and in that tour, England lost the Ashes 5-0.

However this time, Australia’s dominance continues in the one-day series as well as they thrashed England in the first ODI at Melbourne. It was a clinical performance from Australia as they clicked in all departments of the game. Aaron Finch scored a superb century to set up Australia’s victory. England bowlers never posed problems to the openers which the duo cashed in on. Both batsmen phased the innings well, and switched on the gears when needed.

England, on the other hand, set a good target of 270, but the absence of a specialist spinner and quality bowlers cost them the match. Nevertheless England can still make a comeback into the one-day series. The batting unit looks settled, but Alastair Cook needs to have quality bowlers.

The absence of Broad is clearly felt, but this is a chance for the deserving bowlers to perform who have shone at the domestic level. Cook needs to come out with a plan to destroy Australia top order which looks improbable given the mindset of England players.

Australia’s middle order has not been tested. The middle order doesn’t have the experience of handling pressure situations, and therefore, England should remove the top order as quick as possible.

The surface in Brisbane is good for batting, but it all depends how the teams fare well in the first 10 overs. The team batting first should make use of the opportunity and post a good score as the ball may seam under lights at Brisbane.

England have fast bowlers who can get seam movement off the surface, and therefore, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bat first. 270 could still prove a tricky target for Australia at this pitch, but it all depends on what kind of lengths England seamers bowl. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bowl on the good length area around off-stump and then look for the seam movement. It would certainly trouble the opening batsmen and Finch can’t play his shots freely.

In contrast, Australia would look maintain the winning run as Clarke is desperate to take Australia to No.1 in rankings. They have a formidable bowling attack that can pose problems to quality batsmen, but the middle is a problem for Australia. They haven’t had exposure to pressure situations and it would be interesting to see the middle order response if the top order fails to perform for Australia.

Players to watch

Chris Jordan was back in English colors against Australia at home last year. He troubled the Australia batsmen at home and was in fine nick for the Common Wealth Bank series. Even in the first ODI at Melbourne, he would have claimed the wicket of Finch initially, but a drop chance allowed Finch to score a century. He looks in good rhythm and will be expected to deliver the goods for England at Brisbane.

Mitchell Johnson is back for Australia to play the second ODI at Brisbane. He was the man who troubled England batsmen in the Ashes series. He is an outstanding in one-day cricket, and it would be interesting to see England’s approach against Johnson. If Australia bats first, Johnson would certainly play an important role under lights because he can get the seam movement off the surface. On the contrary, he wouldn’t be getting the seam movement but can be a dangerous bowler with old-ball as he can deliver yorkers consistently.

Pitch and conditions

The surface is good for batting, but there will movement for the fast bowlers under lights. So it won’t be a bad idea to bat first.

Team news

Shane Watson has been rested for the one-day series, and therefore, Shaun Marsh is likely to be selected for the Brisbane one-day. Also Nathan- Coulter- Nile is expected to miss the Brisbane ODI and Johnson is set to replace him.

England may consider including another bowler in the line-up as Joe Root is likely to miss the match.

Quotes

“I feel good. I’ve spent a bit of time in the middle, got a decent score in the first game then to get another fifty was good. I’ve got a bit of confidence.” Gary Balance talks about his performance at Melbourne.