1st ODI: Australia vs England
That, of course, is easier said than done.
After a 4-0 Ashes trouncing which was long anticipated by sports betting followers, the betting odds once more favour the hosts.
Asian Handicap betting has Australia priced 0.00 @ 1.54, with England @ 2.51, and it is no wonder.
Let us not forget that England head to Melbourne with a pretty awful record in one-day cricket.
Australia edged them out on their own turf in 2015 with a 3-2 ODI series victory, less than two years after the southern hemisphere domination was clear in a 4-1 home victory.
The Aussies also ran riot, winning 6-1 in 2010/11. Only the odd NatWest series has given England joy in recent years – and those triumphs were at home.
We certainly should not read too much into the fact England won their only warm-up encounter before the one-day series begins: they eased to a five-wicket win against a Cricket Australia XI.
The raw pace of bowler Mark Wood may have been a welcome sight for England fans everywhere, especially after they failed to come close to Australia’s brutal bowling pace in the Ashes rout.
Skipper Eoin Morgan, who made 81 in the warm-up, will be encouraged by that, but it will take more than a change of format and kit to prompt an upturn in England’s fortunes.
While a poor Ashes series cannot be brushed aside, a convincing ODI victory would certainly lift spirits ahead of the New Zealand test in the spring.
Whether Alex Hales or Jason Roy gets the nod to partner Jonny Bairstow in the opener remains to be seen, yet there’s no denying a good start could reinvigorate the tourists against hosts. The Baggy Greens surprisingly recalled veteran Cameron White to their squad, much to the frustration of the overlooked Glenn Maxwell.
Captain Steve Smith’s batting combination is hard to predict, and their batting in this format has certainly lacked stability in recent years.
It also should not be forgotten England dumped Australia out of last year’s Champions Trophy without a win, albeit two of the matches were washed out.
With the Aussies looking to manage their fast bowlers after the exertion of the Ashes in preparation for the South Africa test, this ODI series could just favour England more than many think.
I’m hedging my bets –it’s time to take yours!
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
