After the T20I series met with a watery grave, Australia and England will face each other in the first of the seven games at Oval in the ODI series. And with the visitors having won almost nothing on this tour so far, after having lost in the first round of the World T20 and then following it up with the Ashes loss, it remains to be seen whether they can do something to change their fortunes.

For starters, Ricky Ponting will continue to remain in Australia for the first few games of the series. Michael Clarke will captain the side in his absence, while the nucleus of the side for the ODIs will remain very similar to the T20Is. Michael Hussey will return back to the side after having missed the T20Is, as will Nathan Bracken. Not that they missed a lot given that only one of the four innings was completed in the two T20Is!

Dave Warner will no longer be a part of the side - being a specialist T20I player only - and in all probabilities, the opening berth will be shared by the duo of Shane Watson and James Hopes. Michael Clarke's good form will ensure that he bats at three, while Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Callum Ferguson and Adam Voges - a replacement for the injured Brad Haddin - will fight for the remaining three berths. Graham Manou should take up the wicket-keeper's spot, while the four bowling slots will have one spinner and three quickies!

For England, Andrew Strauss makes a return to captain the side and will open the innings. What remains to be seen is who his opening partner will be; especially given Ravi Bopara's consistent lack of runs. Joe Denly did not have a great T20I debut, but he has been a consistent performer at the first class level. There is a half-decent chance that Luke Wright may be pushed up the order to take advantage of the fielding restrictions given that Strauss already is a little slow off the blocks.

The other option England has is to have Matt Prior bat at the top with Strauss, have Wright at the position he had started out as, a number six batsman, who could be around to take on the batting Powerplay.

However, with Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen out of the series, the English side definitely lacks the teeth to test a hurting Australian side and will need to take a rabbit out of the hat to go 1-0 up.

Tag :- Andrew Flintoff   Andrew Strauss   Kevin Pietersen   Luke Wright   Matt Prior   Michael Clarke   Michael Hussey   Nathan Bracken   Ricky Ponting   Shane Watson