Match Preview: Favourites Australia must not underestimate England

Australia will have to be wary of England's firepower when they take on their arch rivals in their opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, in the Pool A match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday.

Australia are the co-hosts of this edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup, and would certainly be hoping to start on a winning note and carry on the momentum and play the final of the tournament, which will be played at the same venue on March 29. Australia have had a fine run in One-Day International (ODI) cricket in recent months, and their winning run will be one their biggest advantages over England.

Australia got the better of England on all three occasions in the triangular series which they played before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but the progress that England have shown since the start of their tour cannot be ignored. Given the confidence with which England have played, they will certainly offer a stiff challenge to the co-hosts.

Languishing majorly in almost all departments, England reworked their plans and leadership, and favourable results have started coming way. The two big wins against India in the triangular series would have given them the confidence to believe they can win against the top sides in ODI cricket if they do all the right things together as a unit. The form of some of their key players would be certainly a big factor.

But England will have to be realistic and not get carried away with the progress that they have made. They lost to Pakistan in the warm-up match of this tournament from a position where they were dominating; especially after they posted a challenging total and even removed the Pakistani top order for a paltry score. England failed to take advantage of their better and more experienced bowling attack, and this would certainly be a worrying factor.

If England have to win the opening clash against Australia, they will have to find a way to battle the challenges presented by Mitchell Johnson and company. In the triangular series final, England were in the contest till the time Johnson came and ripped them apart. They have a history of struggling against Johnson, and England seem to get intimidated whenever the Australian maverick is at the bowling end.

The opening pair of Ian Bell and Moeen Ali is perfect for ODI cricket, and the presence of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, as well as Gary Ballance, Alex Hales, James Taylor and even Ravi Bopara in their ranks promises a strong batting attack. But England have their own share of worries and they need to find the solutions. Morgan has been inconsistent, and the fact that he is their best ODI batsman makes the situation a little more troublesome. Bell, too, has been among the run-getters but given the inconsistency of England’s batsmen, he would be needed to drop anchor more often than not.

James Anderson is their best bet with the ball, but he would need some strong support from the likes of Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, and Steven Finn. Both Broad and Finn have chipped in quite a few times with good performances, but none of them are as consistent as Anderson and this would certainly make England a lesser bowling attack in terms of lethalness compared to Australia’s. Meanwhile, Woakes has emerged as one of their best ODI bowlers over the last few months.

The hosts are in tremendous form with many of their batsmen peaking at the right time. David Warner, Steven Smith, and Aaron Finch are in dangerous form. The mayhem which Glenn Maxwell can create cannot be forgotten either. The current form of Australia doesn’t make one think that Michael Clarke is being missed, and the day he returns in the playing XI, their chances will become even stronger.

Johnson and Mitchell Starc will be Australia’s bowlers to watch out for. Johnson has had a history of mauling England again and again, and he would be itching to have a go at them once again and gain momentum at the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Starc too has peaked at the right time, and by the look of things, Australia certainly have the advantage over England.

Squads:

Australia: George Bailey (c), Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.

England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.