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topicnews · September 19, 2024

ENG vs AUS 2024, ENG vs AUS 1st ODI Match Preview

ENG vs AUS 2024, ENG vs AUS 1st ODI Match Preview

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After a T20 series that looked longer term to 2026, lacked some big names and saw the decider go down the drain on a terrible day in Manchester, this upcoming five-match ODI series – yes, old-fashioned and yes, probably overdone – seems to have a little more immediate relevance with a view to next year’s Champions Trophy, with some key multi-format players returning.

One key player who will not feature in these matches is Jos Buttler, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury. This means that Harry Brook will be added to the England captain’s list for this season and that is probably not unimportant as he is believed to be a genuine long-term option to lead the side. It will also be very interesting to see how Jofra Archer performs in his first 50-over appearance in 18 months. This will mean a significant increase in his workload, although he will be carefully managed.
Australia, meanwhile, have seen an influx of senior names, with Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc all part of the series. Alex Carey is also in the squad, but in ODIs he is now Josh Inglis’ replacement after being dropped early from the squad at last year’s World Cup. Be that as it may, the tour will feature his return to Lord’s next week, the scene of a dramatic turnaround in Carey’s career.
At the other end of the experience scale – you can’t really go much further – is the call-up of fast bowler Mahli Beardman as a reserve player. With just one professional match under his belt, he has certainly been a talking point and although he is not yet officially in the squad, it would not take much more than a little general unease from the other fast bowlers to take him another step up.

“He’s a great young lad,” said fellow West Australian Mitchell Marsh. “For a 19-year-old he’s got a lot of talent, he showed that in the Under-19 World Cup. I think he’ll learn a lot here. I’ve certainly met him a couple of times in the nets. We’ve seen in the history of Australian cricket that there’s a long list of guys who have been plucked from nowhere, I think, but Mahli is certainly extremely talented and bowls fast.”

Form curve

(the last five completed games, most recent first)
England 😂 …
Australia WWWWW

In the spotlight: Jofra Archer and Glenn Maxwell

The A-word will never be far away. Much of what England is doing at the moment is with a view to the 2025-26 Ashes and the rehabilitation of Jofra Archer is at the top of that list. This game will be his first 50-over game – international or domestic – since March 2023, having restricted himself to T20 action until now to allow for a carefully planned return to action. This phased approach will continue and there is a chance he won’t even bowl his full 10 overs, but it is another important step in Archer’s comeback and another stage on the road to what will hopefully be his eventual return to Test cricket.
Glenn Maxwell was rested for the series against West Indies earlier this year and has therefore not played an ODI since the World Cup final. He is another player being carefully managed by the selectors following his horrific leg injury in late 2022, the effects of which he is still dealing with. At 35, he is one of those who may not feature in the next ODI World Cup in 2027, so the Champions Trophy could be a 50-over farewell for one of the most dynamic white-ball cricketers of all time.

Team News: Archer plays; first question for Australia

Ben Duckett will open for the first time in his ODI career, with stand-in captain Brook stepping in at No. 4. Jamie Smith has been confirmed as wicketkeeper and it is likely he would have done so had Buttler been fit. Archer will play the series opener. Jacob Bethell is in line for a debut and the final decision seems to be who goes at No. 6, with Liam Livingstone’s bowling likely to sway things in his favour to allow Brook to split the overs between himself, Bethell and Will Jacks.

England: (probably) 1 Ben Duckett, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Will Jacks, 4 Harry Brook (captain), 5 Jamie Smith (weekend), 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Jacob Bethell, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Reece Topley

Australia’s side have reportedly been hit by a virus after captain Mitchell Marsh missed the second T20I through illness. That could put a strain on their already thin squad for the first ODI, with a number of senior players affected. As in the T20s, Australia are looking for a long-term replacement for David Warner. Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk ended up there against West Indies after Travis Head was rested after the opening match, so there is no shortage of options. Marsh has also been successful there before, and lining out at the top potentially creates space for Smith and Labuschagne. Inglis didn’t train much before the opening match due to quad pain, so it’s doubtful he plays. If so, Carey would step in.

Australia: (possible) 1 Travis Head, 2 Mitchell Marsh (captain), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Cameron Green, 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Josh Inglis/Alex Carey (wk), 7 Glenn Maxwell/Matthew Short, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Mitchell Starc/Ben Dwarshuis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood/Aaron Hardie

Trent Bridge can be a great place to bat in one-day cricket: since 2010 it has had the highest average and strike rate of any venue in England and Wales. But the ball can also swing, giving bowlers a chance. The sunny weather is expected to continue for at least the start of the series.

Quotes

“That’s still a long way off. Personally, I’m just going to try to focus on each game and I would probably encourage everyone else to try that as well.”
Harry Brook downplays the relevance of this series for the 2025–26 Ashes.

“We certainly have a busy schedule and there will be times when we have to maneuver the guys through. Playing five games in ten days is certainly a big challenge, but we will manage it as best we can.”
Mitchell Marsh about Australia’s fast bowlers

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