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September 27, 2024
Australia reports a clean bill of health ahead of the match, but the weather conditions around Lord’s could impact the contest.
Here we go! After falling behind 2-0 due to a mix of overconfidence, inexperience, and self-sabotage, Harry Brook and his team finally got on the board with a win in Durham. Now, they’re determined to replicate last summer’s thrilling Ashes comeback, though the weather forecast might dampen their hopes.
While the excitement around this match may not reach the same levels as before, England is eager to prove that their victory at Chester-le-Street wasn’t just a fluke. Brook, stepping in as captain, shone with his first ODI century, making the chase of 305 seem easier, despite rain preventing them from completing it. After a shaky start at 11 for 2, the partnership of 156 runs between Brook and Will Jacks showcased their ability to adapt in a format that demands both patience and aggression.
Australia, missing key players Travis Head and Adam Zampa, saw Brook winning the toss for the third consecutive time. Although England’s bowlers struggled early on in favorable seam conditions, Alex Carey helped steady Australia’s innings. As the game progressed, the pitch became more conducive to aggressive batting.
For Australia, ending their 14-match winning streak—second only to the legendary 2003 team—won’t cause too much concern. Steven Smith reminded everyone of his class with his first fifty of the tour, while Aaron Hardie’s late innings hinted at a bright future for the team. Although the bowlers were off their game, they possess the experience needed to regroup and aim to seal the series at Lord’s.
Here are the results of the last five completed matches for both teams, with the most recent match listed first:
England: Win, Loss, Loss, Loss, Win
Australia: Loss, Win, Win, Win, Win
While Harry Brook stole the spotlight, Will Jacks also played a crucial role in England’s turnaround at Chester-le-Street. Although he fell short of his first international century, his innings of 84 runs off 82 balls was, in his own words, his best performance for England so far. After scoring a half-century at Trent Bridge, Jacks is starting to find his rhythm in ODIs, particularly in his role at No. 3. Interestingly, despite having significantly more experience in T20 cricket (186 matches compared to just 32 in List A), he has made a bigger impact in ODIs for England.
Alex Carey returned to the UK with some apprehension after a difficult experience during last summer’s Ashes. However, following an unexpected call-up to the ODI squad due to Josh Inglis’ injury, he has made the most of his opportunity. Despite not having batted in a competitive match since March, Carey has been Australia’s top scorer for two consecutive matches while also providing a steady presence behind the stumps.
Head coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged that Carey’s strong performances have created a “good problem” for the team as they prepare for the Champions Trophy. With both players stepping up, England and Australia are showing promise as they gear up for the challenges ahead.
Jofra Archer is expected to play in consecutive matches, which means England is likely to field the same team as before. However, Reece Topley has left the squad due to illness. The possible lineup for England is as follows:
After dealing with illness at the start of the tour, Australia has reported a clean bill of health, including Adam Zampa, whose absence was felt during the match at Chester-le-Street. The only uncertainty is whether Josh Inglis is fit to play, but with Alex Carey in great form, that issue is less significant. The possible lineup for Australia includes:
Lord’s isn’t typically known for having a perfectly smooth playing surface, but England did score 311 runs in their last ODI there against New Zealand last September. Due to the recent rain, the pitch may be favorable for seam bowlers—if the weather allows for a match to take place, as showers are expected in the morning and early afternoon.
“We said once we were 2-0 down, we’re going to stay true to how we play. And I think we’d done that at Durham and backed everyone to play their own game. It paid off at Durham, so I don’t see there’s any reason [to change].”
Matt Potts says England are on the comeback trail again
“None of the blokes are training, we’re only here for lunch.”
Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain, has got his priorities straight.