Australia vs England 2013: 1st ODI Preview - New look sides to continue the battle

Key Players:

1. Aaron Finch (Australia)

Fresh from a record-breaking 156 in the first T20I and a brilliant 148 against Scotland, the 26-year-old opener will look to play his natural game and give his side an explosive start at the top of the order. Finch has completely changed his mindset since his international debut in January and backs himself to play shots all over the wicket.

Powerful off the front foot and possessing excellent hand-eye coordination, the Victorian tends to score rapidly and is a superb player of spin as well.

His propensity for hitting sixes was on full display during the savagery he unleashed on the hapless English in Southampton; so once he gets going, he will be an unstoppable force.

Perhaps through his efforts, Australia might just manage to hit back at the hosts for subjecting them to utter humiliation in the Ashes.

2. Boyd Rankin (England)

Boyd Rankin had a good outing against his former side, Ireland, picking up 4 wickets

The giant Irish pacer showed what he could do with the ball when he knocked over four of his former teammates without so much as a fuss. The conditions at Leeds will suit his style of bowling as he can extract bounce from the most sluggish of pitches.

As long as he keeps his injuries under control, Rankin can easily form a potent strike-bowling combination with fellow fast bowler Steven Finn.

Prediction

On current form, England should be able to win this game, but they will have to get Finch, Marsh, Clarke and Watson early, and negotiate the threat of leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, whose variations proved to be quite a handful at Southampton.

The ground fielding has to be top-class, and with the exuberance of youth around, Australia will find it difficult to score easy runs. My money’s on the hosts to win this one.