5 Bold Predictions for the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series
It is time for Test cricket to take a break, as the whites are packed away and the focus is instead turned to 50-over action.
With a World Cup looming large on the horizon, Australia, England and India will look to hone their one-day skills, and work out their best team for the upcoming Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series.
The triangular tournament gets underway on Friday in Sydney, with the host nation taking on England in the first of seven matches.
India, meanwhile, get their campaign underway on Sunday. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is back in charge as the reigning world champions face Australia in Melbourne.
The top two in the table at the end of the round-robin stage will go up against each other in the final at the WACA in Perth on Feb. 1.
So, before the action begins, here are five bold predictions about what might happen.
If you don't agree with any, or you have a suggestion of your own, then use the comments section to have your say. Remember, though, that these are meant to be bold predictions!
A Team Will Successfully Chase Down a Target in Excess of 325
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This might not seem that bold of a prediction really, considering the powerful batting line-ups that will be in action during the series.
However, only on 15 occasions have teams successfully reached targets of 325 or more in one-day history.
India have achieved the feat five times, including making 360 and 351 in the same ODI series against Australia, back in 2013.
Poor Australia have suffered in the past. They have the unwanted honour of being the losing team in the top five run chases in 50-over cricket, including that game in Johannesburg when South Africa made 438.
England have also had their days to forget with the ball, too.
They have been on the wrong end of record chases in Brisbane and Sydney, two venues where they will play games during the series.
Gary Ballance Will Force His Way into England's Team
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Prior to their opening warm-up match on Australian soil, England ODI captain Eoin Morgan made clear the plans for the top of the batting order.
The new skipper confirmed that Ian Bell would replace the axed Alastair Cook as Moeen Ali's opening partner, while James Taylor would continue to bat third after a successful tour of Sri Lanka.
Morgan, per Paul Newman in the Daily Mail, backed the trio by saying: "The first opportunity goes to those guys. All three look in great form. Opportunity lands with them and we'll see how they go."
All three made half-centuries in the one-sided victory over an ACT Invitational XI on Jan. 12, though Bell rather defined his ODI career to date by easing to 51, then getting out when well set.
Alex Hales is seemingly the opener waiting in the wings, but Gary Ballance is also there. The Yorkshire left-hander will be hoping to get an opportunity during the series, having so far failed to fire in 11 ODI innings.
Ballance does, however, have a superb domestic record in limited overs cricket. He boasts an average of 51.68, and at a healthy strike-rate, too.
Having taken to Test action like the proverbial duck to water, there is no reason to suggest the Zimbabwe-born batsman cannot force his way into England's top three before the World Cup starts.
Australia Will Regret Leaving Nathan Lyon out of Their Squad
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The main talking point from the announcement of Australia's squad for the World Cup was the deadline placed on skipper Michael Clarke to regain full fitness.
If you read further down, then you discovered that the selectors had opted to go with left-armer Xavier Doherty—not Nathan Lyon—as the frontline spinner in the 15-man party.
Lyon understood the reasons behind his omission, per Fox Sports.
"I had a good chat with them (the selectors) and they’ve obviously gone for someone else to spin the ball away from the right-handers, especially with having Glenn Maxwell in the side, and I can understand that.
I’ll wish all the guys all the best throughout the World Cup.
"
The decision to go with Doherty—who has played in 57 one-day games for Australia—is understandable, and there was never going to be room for two slow bowlers in the squad.
However, Lyon has enjoyed an impressive Test summer, finishing as the leading wicket-taker. He also performed admirably in his ODI opportunities in 2014, against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
He boasts an economy rate of 4.52 in one-day cricket and has developed the ability to prove an attacking threat when bowling around the wicket. That tactic, when well executed, challenges the inside and outside edge.
Perhaps Australia were right to go with limited overs specialist Doherty, but it must have been a mighty fine call to select him over Lyon.
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Kevin Pietersen Will Make an Impression During the Series
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Despite not playing international cricket for over a year, Kevin Pietersen continues to be a major talking point for England.
The issue of his absence from the national team was raised again on Tuesday when the batsman—currently in Australia playing in the Big Bash League—was doing a spot of commentating for the host broadcaster.
When questioned by Ricky Ponting about the potential for him to yet play in the World Cup, Pietersen—per Sky Sports—replied: "I know that the current captain would love to have me in the England team."
Whatever Eoin Morgan's opinion on a possible return for Pietersen, he probably did not want to have to deal with questions about it ahead of the Tri-Series.
The odds of seeing Pietersen in an England shirt again, whether it be in coloured clothing or in Test whites, seem very, very long indeed.
But, the 34-year-old has clearly not given up hope of a return just yet.
He even put himself forward for selection for the Prime Minister’s XI that will face England on Friday, per The Guardian.
His plea to play against his old employers fell on deaf ears, leaving him to focus on life with the Melbourne Stars in the BBL.
Still, Pietersen will likely be keeping a keen eye on England's fortunes in Australia, and perhaps there will be the chance to enjoy another stint in the commentary box during one of their games.
India Will Win No More Than One Game During the Tri-Series
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India are the holders of the World Cup and currently sit second in the ICC ODI rankings.
To predict they will win only once during the Tri-Series is, therefore, extremely risky. The last time they played 50-over cricket they swept Sri Lanka 5-0, albeit on home soil.
So what possible reasons can be put forward for them potentially struggling against Australia and England?
For starters, the recent four-Test series against Australia was extremely demanding. Although the final scoreline was only 2-0 to the hosts, India—and their bowlers in particular—toiled in tough conditions.
The workload for the seamers has led to India's selectors drafting in Dhawal Kulkarni and Mohit Sharma for the upcoming games, though neither was included in the 15-man World Cup squad announced.
At least Mahendra Singh Dhoni should be fresh. After retiring from Test cricket midway through the Australia tour, he is back to lead the one-day team. Will it be easy to take back the reins from Virat Kohli?
Another reason to suggest India might struggle is the venues for their fixtures.
Facing Australia in their own back yard is always tough, but England will be happy to play India in Brisbane and Perth, two grounds that could offer a little more assistance for their seam bowlers.
India have won just four times in 14 appearances at the Gabba, per ESPN Cricinfo. England, meanwhile, have an impressive record at the WACA, triumphing in nine of the 13 games they have played there.
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