Australia vs. England ODI Tri-Series: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview
Australia and England meet in Sydney for the first match of the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri-Series on Friday as both teams look to finalise their preparations for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Friday, Jan. 16
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Start Time: 3:20 a.m. GMT/2:20 p.m. local
Live On: Nine Network (Australia), STAR Sports (India), Orbit Show Network (Middle East), PTV Sports (Pakistan), SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), Sky Sport (New Zealand)
Live Stream: Sky Go (United Kingdom)
Weather: The Weather Channel is forecasting a fine and partly cloudy day that will reach 30 degrees Celsius during the afternoon.
Overview
The last time these two teams met in a one-day international was January 26 last year, when Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook led out Australia and England respectively for the fifth and final game of their series at the back end of the Ashes summer in 2013-14.
When the sides step out onto the turf at the SCG on Friday, neither of those men will be present.
For Clarke, it's a matter of rest, with his injured body in a race against time to be fit for Australia's second World Cup group game against Bangladesh on February 21—the deadline set by the national selectors if he is to lead the side through the global tournament.
Cook, meanwhile, will be watching the action from afar, axed as England one-day captain and replaced by Eoin Morgan after the difficult recent tour of Sri Lanka. Though expected to immediately improve his nation's 50-over results, Morgan also faces the challenging task of lifting a side lacking continuity in selection out of a malaise and through a quick transition.
Thus, Friday's game pits two contrasting sides against each other: One can't get its best XI on the field, the other doesn't know what its best XI is.
Adding to Australia's headaches is Mitchell Marsh, the all-rounder who suffered a hamstring injury during the first Test against India in Brisbane. Expected to play a large role during the World Cup, Marsh, according to Daniel Brettig of ESPN Cricinfo, won't bowl until the latter stages of this tri-series but will feature as a top-order batsman in the early games.
Such a situation leaves Australia's selectors and stand-in captain George Bailey with an array of decisions to make regarding the middle order and available all-rounders, particularly given the presence of Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner in the squad.
But regardless of which way they go, Australia will feel confident of cruising past a struggling England outfit after thriving in the recent one-day series against a high-quality South Africa side.
Indeed, a look over this England squad reveals an even group with considerable depth, but one that is lacking the multitude of dynamic match-winners that their opponents can call on.
That's reflected in England's recent one-day record: In 2014, the side won just nine of its 25 ODIs and has won just two of its last nine multi-match 50-over series.
Squads
Australia
Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey (vc), Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson
England
Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes
Form Lines (most recent first)
Australia - WWWLWW
England - LLWLWL
Players to Watch
Australia
This tri-series is a very important campaign for Glenn Maxwell, who's endured a difficult run of form at both international and domestic level since his much-criticised Test performance against Pakistan in the UAE late last year.
Though he's the most explosive batsman in the Australia lineup, competition for the all-rounder posts in the side is strong with Watson, Faulkner and Marsh (once fit) all looking to make the final XI.
Maxwell, of course, brings a degree of variety with his part-time off-spin, but he'll need to show improved form with the bat if he is to secure his place in the side ahead of the World Cup.
This clash with England is his first chance.
England
Watching Eoin Morgan captain this England team will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow over the coming months.
Inheriting a side from Alastair Cook that's looked dated in its approach and out of touch with the world it exists in, Morgan must force through a change in mentality in this England outfit.
Those watching England want to see bold cricket, risks being taken, hunches followed and an abandonment of the conservatism that has plagued this 50-over team for several years.
This tri-series is the only opportunity Morgan has to begin that transition before the World Cup.
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