'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It is a curious case with England-Australia fixtures. They always have the Ashes on their mind. The Champions Trophy Group A opener will also have an Ashes-prequel air to it though it is necessary to point out to the overtly enthusiastic in both the countries, that the limited overs version of the game is a far cry from the Ashes. England have been keeping a close eye on the Australian team and their continuing slump in international cricket. They seem to derive a particular joy out of it, knowing that they will have the unique opportunity of winning the Ashes for the third consecutive time in home-conditions. Enough about the Ashes though.
However slandered the competition be, we must remember we are at the Champions Trophy and one that has begun rather promisingly. After a brilliant opener that saw India show their batting prowess, Pakistan and West Indies served a low scoring but thrilling game that shifted focus to express fast bowling. Group A is no less tight in contest with all 4 teams in the hunt for the two semifinal spots and a head start will be critical. England head into this game with the preparation of a competitive series with New Zealand and though they were defeated 2-1 due to the heroics of Martin Guptill, they will enter this game as favourites. Here are 5 reasons why I think England will come out victorious against the two-time defending champions Australia.
1. Australia no more
In an interview ahead of their warm-up game against India, Shane Watson told Harsha Bhogle that the Australians “know” how to win the Champions Trophy and in spite of the personnel they came with, they were “still Australia.” A statement of purpose and intent indeed. But what followed that day was a dismal performance that saw the batting line-up bundle out for 65 runs. Given the fact that Australia might turn up against England without captain Michael Clarke, it must be admitted that this is not the same Australian side that is used to winning trophies. They need to develop a habit of winning now and it’s no more in their DNA as Shane Watson seemed to imply.
The bowling line-up is of immense quality still spearheaded by Mitchell Starc. Clint McKay was impressive against India and Mitchell Johnson‘s performance will depend on the conditions and his ability to be able to extract swing. This is the potent part of their line-up but the absence of any quality spin with Xavier Doherty still failing to make the first XI dents their prospects. Add to that the lack of an anchor in the Australian batting line-up. Michael Clarke would usually provide that stability, doubling the explosive threat that Warner and Watson possess, but without his consistency, this team looks thin on batting.
2. English bowling
The English bowlers had a decent outing in the series against New Zealand. They were put to the knife by Martin Guptill but Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Bresnan showed a bit of fight in the last encounter in which England managed to defend a total of 287. English bowlers will be familiar with the conditions at Edgbaston and will look to exploit the conditions with the diversity of their attack. They have Stuart Broad and Steven Finn who will extract the maximum possible bounce on the surface and a go-to swing bowler in Jimmy Anderson. Add to that lethal combination the spin options of Graeme Swann and Tredwell and you have a potentially match-winning bowling line-up.
3. English batting
England boast of a rather reliable top-three in Alaistar Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott. The series against New Zealand saw Bell and Trott getting valuable runs and though Alastair Cook did not notch up a big-score, you know he is never far from it. Both Cook and Trott are players who can play the long innings, allowing others to chip in to construct a big score. It will be critical to see off the new balls that are used nowadays from two different ends and if they manage to do so, England may give Australia a big score to chase down. The middle order is capable of surviving a stumble as Joe Root promises to be another batsman with the wherewithal to construct an innings. Add to that the exciting talent of Jos Butler and you have a one of the better batting line-ups of the competition.
4. Difference in Morale
Whereas England have notched up a morale boosting win against New Zealand in the last encounter in spite of a series defeat, they will be in a confident mood. They have had the time to test out their balance and will come in with confidence in the composition of their side whereas Australia not so much. The test of using Shane Watson lower down in the batting order in order to allow other batsman to get runs in the warm up game failed miserably as a result of which Shane Watson remains the only reliable batsman in their side. Australia must have realized the importance of spin against India and yet they did not have Doherty turning his arm. They will be tentative with their selection of the final XI and low on confidence.
5. Countering the Watson factor
A look at the Australian side will tell you that the entire balance stands on the robust shoulders of the all-rounder. Shane Watson’s batting has been the saving grace for Australia in limited overs cricket for quite some time. The English bowlers will come with their plans ready to counter the threat that he poses. They would like to get him in as soon as possible and use the swing of James Anderson against him.
