England v Australia 2nd ODI: 5 Battles to look forward to in today’s game

The Australian team acutely felt the absence of their star opener David Warner and former captain Steve Smith in the 1st ODI against England at Oval. Their batting faltered badly after they chose to bat first and despite the Australia bowlers making a game of it, it must be said that a better batting effort might have seen them win the game. It is a 5 match series and today’s 2nd ODI at Cardiff is a game that Australia simply cannot afford to lose.

Against the world’s number 1 ranked team, it would be close to impossible to win three games on the bounce and that makes the game such a crucial one. The game, though, will ultimately be decided by some of the individual battles between the players of either team tonight and here is a look at 5 of the most important ones that cricket fans will look forward to.

NOTE: - TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW. I AM SUBMITTING EARLY.

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#5 Aaron Finch v Mark Wood

One of the most important factors that makes Mark Wood such an effective bowler is his ‘hit the deck’ style that is often disconcerting for batsmen and today the Englishman’s battle with Aaron Finch will be a vital one. The Australian opener struggled in the 1st game and could only make 19 off 24 before being dismissed but he would definitely like to get his team off to a fast start at Cardiff.

The bowler he would have to take on is Wood and it is going to be a fascinating battle. Finch is an excellent player of fast bowling but any kind of movement troubles him and Wood would have that at the back of his mind when he goes head to head with him.

#4 Shaun Marsh v Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali

In the 1st game, Moeen Ali broke the back of the Australian batting line-up with his off-spin bowling and pretty much decided the game with his spell. His accuracy, excellent lengths and just the right amount of turn was the Australians’ undoing in that game and the visitors can’t afford a similar horror show against spin today.

What was most surprising was the fact that the most accomplished player of spin in that batting line-up, Shaun Marsh, was bowled by the England all-rounder and in today’s game, he needs to come good against the spin of Moeen Ali. The left-hander was looking good, having hit 4 fours in his 24 but Ali dismissed him to land a telling blow and in tonight’s game, Marsh would perhaps like to show the English player his place. It could be one of the most fascinating battles in the game.

#3 Andrew Tye v Eoin Morgan

Andrew Tye

Over the past few years, Andrew Tye has firmly established himself as one of the world’s leading limited overs bowlers and it is his incredible variety that has made him such a difficult bowler. His accuracy, intelligence and variations of pace are tough to negotiate for most batsmen and in today’s game at Cardiff, his battle with England captain Eoin Morgan is going to be one of the big highlights.

The left-hander was England’s top scorer in the previous ODI as they chased down 215 in a tense game and he would again be the lynchpin of the middle-order in this crucial game. The bowler who is going to be a big challenge for him is Andrew Tye and having dismissed him in the last game, he would be confident. It is a battle that will shape the game in a big way and one that cricket fans would definitely look forward to.

#2 Glenn Maxwell v Liam Plunkett

Liam Plunkett

After his horror show in the IPL, there was huge pressure on Glenn Maxwell in the 1st ODI but he delivered with an excellent innings in that game and top scored with a whirlwind 62. However, in today’s game he would like to kick on and make a bigger score if Australia are to entertain any chances of squaring the series.

Maxwell’s power-hitting can take the game away from the opposition pretty quickly and that is one of the biggest threats for England. The bowler who could prove to be his antidote is the one who took his wicket in the 1st game, Liam Plunkett and his aggressive bowling is definitely going to be a big challenge for the Australian. He bowls quick and in addition to that he has a superb short ball, that can be used to unsettle him. It is definitely the battle that is going to have a huge bearing on the game and whoever comes out on top would be well placed to end up on the winning side.

#1 Billy Stanlake v Joe Root

Billy Stanlake

The giant Australian was the best bowler in his side in the 1st ODI and troubled the English batsmen no end as he ended up with figures of 2 for 44 in 10 overs. One of the wickets Billy Stanlake claimed in that game was that of England’s batting star Joe Root and in today’s game, his battle with the batsman is going to be one of the big highlights of the game.

It must be remembered that although Stanlake got is wicket, the English star made a vital 50 and that proved to be a very important innings in the larger scheme of things as England ended up winning. However, the pace, bounce and fury of the Australian fast bowler is going to be a very awkward prospect yet against for England and hence, his battle with one of the best English batsmen in the line-up is going to be a battle for the ages.