England v Australia, 2nd ODI, Old Trafford: Fantasy Preview

Australia made a positive start in the three-match ODI series and will now look to carry that momentum forward. The allrounders set it up beautifully, while the bowlers were off to a solid start for the visitors in the first game. However, they did survive a scare from England’s Sam Billings. In the end it is the result that matters and Australia won by 19 runs defending 295. 

England haven’t lost a bilateral series at home since June 2016. Ironically, the last team to beat them was Australia in September 2015. Now with the series on the line, it is to be seen how England bounce back in the second ODI.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Matches – 150 | ENG – 62 Wins | AUS – 83 Wins | Tie – 2 | NR - 3

In England: Matches – 71 | ENG – 35 Wins | AUS – 32 Wins | Tie – 2 | NR - 3

At Venue: Matches – 13 | ENG – 7 Wins | AUS – 6 Wins 

Last 5 Matches: ENG – 3 Wins | AUS – 2 Wins

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from cricket.com Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms we come up with six different teams that could fetch crucial points.

GROUND DETAILS

In the first ODI at Old Trafford, there was something for everyone. A fair amount of movement for the pacers throughout the innings, for both the sides. The spinners had a decent outing too. As for the batsmen, there was good bounce, which meant it came on to the bat  nicely. 

The pacers have bagged a wicket every 29.6 deliveries which is the best among all venues in England since 2016. In any case, those figures are a reflection of how good the surface has assisted them in the second innings. 

In the first innings, the pacers have bagged 49 wickets for every 32.2 balls. Whereas, in the second innings they have achieved a wicket every 27.7 balls. The runs conceded per wicket also goes down drastically.

TEAM COMBINATION

Both the teams' wristspinners had good outing in the first ODI. However, it was the pacers who were among the wickets. The pacers have bagged 67% of the wickets at a balls/dismissal ratio of 33.5 and the spinners have 33% wickets at every 33.0 balls.

There is a strong case for both leggies making it into the fantasy team. The legspinners struck every 20 balls, which is better than the pacers' 28.5. Hence, both, Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa are among the hot picks

Josh Hazlewood’s strong performance and suitable conditions make him one of the considerations. The Australia skipper surely might have missed out in the first ODI, but he is not a batsman to be left out. Glenn Maxwell made a good comeback after a poor show in the T20Is. The likes of Mitchell Marsh, who can bat and bowl, will certainly be a possible pick. 

With an air of suspicion on Steve Smith’s availability, his selection is not recommended. Also, in the first ODI, Mitchell Starc was clutching around his groin area frequently, which might be worrying signs for Australia. 

There could be a few interesting match-ups too.

AARON FINCH vs JOFRA ARCHER

The tall quick of England has troubled the Australian skipper in ODIs. Archer in the three innings against him has dismissed Finch twice at an average of 11.5. Finch has scored runs at a low strike rate as well.

JOE ROOT vs JOSH HAZLEWOOD

In a tussle between two of the best, Root has suffered a massive blow. Hazlewood with his length and accurate lines has got the better of Root thrice in 6 innings. The top-order bat of England has an average of less than 10 against Hazlewood in ODIs.

EOIN MORGAN vs PAT CUMMINS

Cummins didn’t have an outing he would have hoped for in the first ODI, but his record against the England captain is something he would be delighted with. Morgan has got out to him 4 times in the 12 innings he has faced the quick in ODIs.

SUGGESTED CAPTAIN

AARON FINCH: The Australian skipper missed out in the first ODI, but would be eager to come out and score in the next game. Finch has scored 1269 runs against England in ODIs, which is the fifth-most by an Australian. He has an average of 48.8 with 7 centuries. 

Of late his form has been exceptional. Since 2019 in ODIs, his 1480 runs are the fourth-most by a batsman. He has scored five centuries in this period, which is the second joint-highest among all batsmen. A single failure surely won't hamper his confidence. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts, Finch would score 14-39 runs in the second ODI.

X-FACTOR

JONNY BAIRSTOW: The England opener has set different standards to his batting whenever he opened the innings in ODIs. He has been England’s best batsman since 2019 in ODIs with over 1000 runs at an average of 44.9. 

What’s captivating is his record at Old Trafford. He has scored over 300 runs in 6 innings at an average of 62.6. His average is the best among players who have played more than 5 innings at Old Trafford. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts, Bairstow would score 20-45 runs in the second ODI

ADAM ZAMPA: On a pitch where there was minimal support, Zampa was on top of his game in the first ODI. He bagged four crucial wickets that helped Australia seize victory. Zampa’s record in England is impressive and he is able to make the breakthrough early, even in English conditions.

His strike rate of 30.1 is the third-best among spinners with 10 or more wickets in England. The ability to penetrate early surely was one of the X-factors in the first ODI and it could be in the second game as well. 

Our Criclytics player projector predicts, Zampa would pick 0-3 wickets in the second ODI.

EOIN MORGAN: Morgan might face difficulties against a few of Australia quicks, but most of the time he has overcome those. That is one of the reasons why he is England’s highest run-scorer against Australia in ODIs. With 1887 runs at an average of 41.0 against them, he is certainly one of the X-factors in the second ODI. In addition, Morgan has scored runs at will at Old Trafford in the 50-over game. His batting average of 48.8 at a strike rate of 116.7 is proof of it.

Our Criclytics player projector predicts, Morgan would score 14-35 runs in the second ODI.