England vs. Australia: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Cricket World Cup Preview
Clashes between Australia and England have been some of the most engrossing in the history of cricket, and these two juggernauts of the game will add another chapter to their illustrious rivalry when they get their respective World Cup campaigns underway.
Australia, the co-hosts for this year’s tournament, will be the big favourites coming into this one and hoping that a fervent Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd can help them to victory. It’s been a tumultuous time for their opponents England, but they’ll be hoping to capitalise on the substantial pressure on the Baggy Greens.
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The hosts’ first match in any tournament is always an engrossing spectacle; factor in the rivalry between these two and it makes an unmissable occasion. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the clash live and a closer examination of both teams on the cusp of what should be a thrilling World Cup.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Time: 3:30 a.m. (GMT)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
TV Info: Sky Sports 2 (UK)
Australia Begin Quest for Fifth World Crown
Having been incepted in 1975, the Cricket World Cup is a relatively new competition. But since it began, the Aussies have enjoyed more success than any other nation and will go into this tournament having won three of the last four championships; their other win came in 1987.
The co-hosts are the favourites for this tournament, too, and after a quick glance over the squad available to Darren Lehmann, it’s easy to see why. Not only will they be well acquainted with the bespoke Australian conditions, but batsmen like Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith are some of the finest limited-overs players around.
Ominously for England, Michael Clarke—who has been beset by recent fitness issues—also looks to have recaptured his form ahead of this one, per BBC TMS:
With the ball, they have some match-winners, too. Mitchell Johnson is a player who can obliterate an opposition innings, but he does have a capricious streak to his bowling; it’ll be vital that the Aussie captain utilises his erratic yet destructive abilities. Never one to shirk his words, Johnson should be at the thick of the action in what will be a ferocious clash against England.
Indeed, the Aussies have stoked the flames of this one with some choice humour, per MailOnline Sport:
The England team might fancy their chances of sneaking a victory here, though. As hosts and favourites, there will be a lot of expectation on Australia, and we’ve seen in tournaments past how those kinds of external factors can drain teams of impetus.
The build-up hasn’t been ideal for Eoin Morgan’s men coming into this tournament, however, with issues regarding the captaincy and confusion surrounding spots in the batting lineup puncturing preparations. But in Moeen Ali, Joe Root and Jos Buttler, there is some excellent talent to complement experienced figures like Morgan and Ian Bell.
Former England skipper Andrew Strauss is expecting the opening pair of Ali and Bell to flourish, per Sky Sports:
"It’s great to see him [Bell] getting a go at the top of the order and taking it with both hands.
When he’s on form he looks perfectly suited to doing that job—he’s got shots all around the wicket off the front and back foot; there’s usually a really nice tempo to his innings.
He and Moeen Ali, who really excites me, complement each other really well.
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Nonetheless, Australia will have a bit too much here. The class at their disposal in terms of batting will make them very difficult to restrict with ball in hand, and even if their star men fail to fire, they still have the safety net of Johnson’s stellar fast bowling to drag them to victory.
England have the ability to shock a few in this competition, and they certainly won’t be the soft touch the Aussies expect them to be. But Morgan’s men were found wanting against their great rivals in three recent matches in the triangular series, and it’s difficult to see that pattern altering when the serious stuff gets underway at the MCG.
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