Australia vs England ODIs 2018: 5 players to watch out for 

Australia were very convincing in the recently concluded Ashes, where they beat their arch rivals England 4-0 to regain the coveted urn. England had their moments through the series but were unable to capitalise on them.

Many of their key players were expected to do better, but looked flat and out of form through the 5-match series. Heading into the ODI series against Australia, there will be some new faces added to their squad and with that the tourists will look at winning some games in a tour where they are yet to taste success.

Australia, on the other hand, are riding high on a convincing performance against England to regain the Ashes. With seven members from the Ashes squad featuring in the ODI series, they will start as favorites to win the series.

Looking ahead to the ODI series starting on January 14, here are 5 players to watch out for:

Cameron White

In a surprise inclusion, the Australian selectors have decided to pick veteran Cameron White for the ODIs against England. White last played for Australia in 2015. This will definitely give his career a boost.

He has been around a long time and has played 88 ODIs so far. Lack of consistency and the fact that other younger players like Glen Maxwell and Travis Head were performing better meant White had to be left out of the team.

With Chris Lynn's injury coming just before the ODI series against England, it was expected that Glenn Maxwell would replace him. But with Maxwell failing to capitalise on the opportunities presented to him, along with his training methods questioned by his captain, the selectors decided to overlook him.

The selection of Cameron White is a bold yet sensible one. It's bold as the selectors haven't gone in for the usual, predicted route by going in for Maxwell instead of the injured Chris Lynn.

Instead, they have decided to acknowledge the performance by White in the recent Big Bash League where he has amassed 285 runs at an outstanding average of 142.5 for the Melbourne Renegrades.

The selectors have gone for someone who is experienced, is currently in very good form and importantly, someone who can help out Steven Smith, as he has had a lot of leadership experience for his state side Victoria, and even in the Big Bash League.

Cameron White would most certainly want to make full use of this opportunity and do well in this ODI series as he knows if he fails then the likes of Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell could take his place in the side. But if he performs well, then he could push hard for a spot in the World Cup squad for Australia.

Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson, an upcoming fast bowler, will look to grab on the opportunity he has received by being selected in the ODI series against England. Over the past 12-15 months, the Australian pace attack has seen lot of changes owing to injuries to some key players.

Jhye Richardson came into national reckoning when his bowling was one of the main reasons for Perth Scorchers to win the Big Bash League in 2016. He was selected for the T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2016, but didn't show too much promise at that time.

With his strong performances in the ongoing Big Bash League, and the fact that their front line fast bowlers in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are back in the team for the ODI series gives Richardson a good opportunity to learn from the experienced fast bowlers.

Richardson has shown promise in the BBL and is known to keep his cool under pressure. This series offers him the chance to establish himself as a more long-term option for the Steven Smith-led Australian team heading into the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019.

Mitchell Marsh

Australia have been lacking a good all-rounder for their ODI team right through 2017. James Faulkner has looked a pale shadow of his usual self as he was neither effective with the bat or ball. Glenn Maxwell has had a long run, but has failed to impress. His training methods have been questioned by captain Steven Smith.

Marcus Stoinis has been carrying the mantle of the premier all-rounder for the Aussies and so far, he has been good. His batting especially has been pretty consistent and effective, something we saw in the ODI series against India in India recently.

But Steve Smith would like to have someone who can bowl 10 relatively inexpensive overs, get a few wickets in the process, and most importantly be capable of finishing games with the bat coming in at number 6 or number 7.

Mitchell Marsh’s inclusion in the test team proved to be really good for Australia. Marsh was dominating with the bat, as he scored two fantastic centuries back to back. The confidence with which he was able to score the runs will please the Australian team management.

With the bowlers doing the bulk of the work and getting the wickets, Mitchell Marsh was mainly used to hold one end up during the Ashes and he played his part well. Steven Smith will expect Marsh to continue his batting form and also chip in with some crucial wickets with the ball in the upcoming ODI series.

Jos Buttler

Jos Butler

Jos Buttler is one of the finest talents coming out of England in recent times. He has grown in stature in the past 12-15 months. His wicket-keeping is exceptional, but the main reason for him becoming a force to reckon with is his attacking batting.

He makes batting look really simple when he is in good knick. His biggest strength is his ability to absorb pressure coming down the order and taking control of the innings. He, and Ben Stokes, both played the role of the finisher very well in recent times.

The power he generates from his bat is astounding at times. It is this quality of his which has made him a successful player who has been recognised by T20 franchises across the globe, with him having played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and Sydney Thunder in the BBL.

Buttler is a key member of this England side and with him playing the BBL before the ODI series, he will be looking forward to continue his good form into the ODI series as well. He is someone Australia would be weary of. Can he continue his good form and showcase his talent in the upcoming ODI series?

Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid

In the modern game with bigger bats, flatter pitches and the game generally tending to favor the batsman, it is very rare to see a bowler do well and be noticed in the limited overs formats of the game.

One such bowler is the quiet, unassuming leg-spinner from England - Adil Rashid. He has along with Moeen Ali, has been able to control innings, bring down the scoring rate of the opposition and in the process getting wickets for his side.

His stock ball is the leg-spinner but his well-disguised googly foxes even the best players of spin. He is one bowler who doesn’t necessarily need a turning pitch to be threatening. If the pitch grips and has something in it for the bowlers, Rashid will be effective.

Eoin Morgan usually bowls Rashid in the middle overs to stifle the run flow. And he has responded well to what’s expected from him. He has picked up 77 wickets in 55 ODIs, with a very impressive economy rate of 5.52.

With Moen Ali going through a torrid time in the Ashes and the availability of Ben Stokes still unclear for the ODI series, Adil Rashid’s role significantly increases. He will be looked at to get wickets and not just contain the Australian run flow.

Having seen Adil Rashid’s growth as a leg-spinner over the past 12-15 months, this series will witness him taking over as a strike bowler than a support act to the fast bowlers. It will be a big test for the leg-spinner and England will be hoping he bowls well and helps them in their success.