 After some one way traffic the series between England and Australia saw
England put on a decent show and win their first game of the series.
The seven match series is poised 3-1 to Australia. Due to Jonathan Trott's
all round performance, the series is alive and kicking. If Australia had won
the game, three dead rubbers would have affected World Cup preparations of both
teams. The fifth and another must win encounter for England will be played at
Gabba on Sunday.
Click for Live Score Card of Australia Vs England
Australia's biggest worry is their captain Michael Clarke's poor form. The
dodgy form of Ricky Ponting led to his demise and Clarke is shaping up
in the same mold. A captain who is not performing and leading from the front
is always a worry for the team. Australia have many things going against them
all of a sudden.
The return of the English ace James Anderson, injuries to Mitchell Johnson,
Shaun Tait and Nathan Hauritz and now Clarke's form. Australia did experiment
by sending Shaun Marsh up the order but the gamble didn't pay off. It would
be very interesting to see how Australia shape up their team for the Gabba's
game on January 30.
Australia would hope to find the right combination for World Cup by experimenting
in the next three games. Australia are comfortably placed in the series and
just one win in the remaining three games would see them clinch the series.
Australia have won three of their last five ODIs.
England celebrated for the first time in the series at Adelaide. Jonathan Trott was the star of the show making a century with the bat but rather
surprisingly bowling a crucial spell that saw him take two wickets.
The win at Adelaide Oval was a welcome one for England but there are problems
still persisting. Paul Collingwood's form is making it hard for the selectors
to keep him in the team. England were hoping that James Anderson, after being
rested for first three games would provide them stability and he did exactly
that. With the return of Anderson, England bowling woes which include injuries
to Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann have lessened.
England now need to gain some momentum and take fight back to the Aussies for
the remaining three games. England cannot slip further, anything less
than three wins would see them lose the series.
England have won two of their last five ODIs.
|
