With the World Cup ominously close, the tri-series that begins in Sydney on Friday provides an excellent opportunity for all teams taking part to get some match practice in. This year, Australia host England and India in a seven game (including the final) series featuring three fire rivals.
Here’s our guide to the action with odds from Luxbet.
Australia
Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vc), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Kane Richardson, Gurinder Sandhu
Key Player: David Warner shapes as the crucial cog in the Australian one day machine just as he is in the other forms of the game. We all saw how much he intimidated the Indian bowlers from the outset of test matches, causing them to bowl some absolute trash, and the one day game shouldn’t be any different.
X-Factor: The death overs of a one day international can be critical these days. It’s no longer acceptable to score a pedestrian 60 from the final ten overs, instead totals of 100+ are closer to the norm. One player who helps Australia achieve this more than any other is James Faulkner. Whether it’s a rearguard bailout or capping off an already impressive total, Faulkner is equipped to take advantage of the final overs.
Form: Very strong. Australia have prevailed in seven of their last eight one day internationals. The results included wins against Pakistan and South Africa, and given the most recent of those games was in November 2014, the form should still be good. The test series win against India will also do wonders for their confidence.
Odds: $1.75
Chances: The odds say it all really. The saying goes that the shorter the cricket format the more even the playing field and the greater opportunity for upsets. However, in their own backyard, with loads of players in form, we can’t see anything other than an Australia win.
England
Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes
Key Player: Moeen Ali is shaping up as the England’s key man for the Carlton Mid Tri Series and the Cricket World Cup. His combative and aggressive approach to batting is very un-English-like and is likely to kickstart England’s power play efforts. His part time bowling is effective too making him a valuable all-rounder for the series underdogs.
X-Factor: Jos Buttler is a wicket-keeper batsman with a history of innovation and excitement. The 24-year-old is experienced in Australian conditions after a stint in the Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades and that’s why we’re picking him to provide the fireworks for England. Considering the likes of Bell, Taylor and Root can score sedately, his role is crucial.
Form: Coming off back to back series losses against Sri Lanka and India. But, since they have arrived in Australia they have posted warm up scores of 364 and 391, possibly suggesting a change in fortune in 2015.
Odds: $4.50
Chances: The warm up form could suggest England are a chance in the tri-series, especially if they are viewed as the underdogs throughout. Cook’s dropping might be the catalyst to a new era of ODI dominance under Eoin Morgan.
India
Squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Sharma
Key Player: If you thought Virat Kohli was a decent test match player, just wait until you watch him play the one day game. It’s the game where he made his name, and it’s the game in which he owns this incredible record: 146 games, 6208 runs, 21 100’s, 33 50’s, 90.5 strike rate, and 183 high score. Kohli is the key.
X-Factor: Don’t let the pair in Sydney fool you. Suresh Raina can play, and shorter form cricket is the game suited to the destructive left-hander. His record at home is much better than it is away, but we’re backing him totter it around in the Carlton Mid Tri Series.
Form: Impressive. After the West Indies walked out of the series they were losing 2-1, India called in Sri Lanka and thumped them 5-0.
Odds: $3.50
Chances: In Rahane, Kohli and Rayudu they have players in form. That should serve them well in the format they play the most.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
