England vs Australia 2nd ODI: 5 talking points

England battled Australia in the 2nd ODI of their ongoing ODI series in England. While it was a low scoring affair at the Kia Oval, it turned out to be a run fest at Cardiff. England posted a mammoth total of 342-8 thanks to Jason Roy's brilliant 120 and Jos Buttler's late heroics of 91 not out. Australia were bundled for 308 in their chase but Shaun Marsh and co. did put up a fight. Marsh scored 131 runs before being bowled by Liam Plunkett.

After the two ODIs played between the arch-rivals it is fair to say England look the more confident one. Australia are playing their first series after the scandalous case which exposed three Aussies - Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and their skipper Steve Smith of being part of ball tampering. All three have been banned for 12 months from international cricket. The absence of these star players has hit cricket Australia hard.

Nonetheless, with ODI number 2 won handsomely by England, there is a lot to be talked about.

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#5 England have a good selection dilemma

CRICKET-ENG-SRI-ODI

Jason Roy smashed 120 runs off 108 balls and won the Man of the match award deservingly. Jonny Bairstow has been in the form of his life scoring three centuries in the last five matches. Alex Hales hasn’t been on top of his game but his records speak for himself. With the middle order stacked up with the likes of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes it looks likely England will have a selection headache for 2019 world cup.

Chris Woakes is England's best bowler and a handy allrounder as well meaning he will automatically slide back into this side once he comes back from injury. Same can be said about Ben Stokes.

This England side has gone from power to power since their world cup debacle in 2015. With more 300 plus scores than any other country in this period, they have adapted to the aggressive brand of cricket very well. In order to be genuine contenders for the world cup in 2019, they have to resort to their best 11.

#4 Australia really miss Warner and Smith

Australia v England - Third Test: Day 5

With Steve Smith and David Warner banned for a year due to their involvement in ball tampering vs South Africa, Australia appointed Tim Paine as their ODI skipper.

Steve Smith and David Warner are two of the best players on the planet and it’s a shame we won't see them gracing a cricket field for one whole year. It is safe to say that Cricket Australia miss their star duo.

Smith and Warner will walk into any ODI side in the world with ease. Though very different in how they approach their game there is one thing common between them - Class!

Not just batting wise but leadership-wise as well. There aren’t many dominating figures on the field for Aussies at the moment. Tim Paine lacks instincts shown by previous Australian skippers. The suspension of two of their star players has hit the team hard as they still seem to be in recovery mode. Something evidently visible against England in the ongoing ODI series.

#3 England’s bowling looks vulnerable

Scotland v England - ODI

England have the best batting line up in ODI cricket, period. With the likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and more, England have a power packed batting line up. England have scored in excess of 300 for most number of times amongst all nation in the last 3 years showing what a dynamic batting order this is.

But it isn’t their batting which is to worry about, it is their bowling. England’s bowling looks vulnerable with no real threat other than Chris Woakes. David Willey and Mark Wood haven’t been consistent enough to support their case. Adil Rashid might be England's best spinner but the Yorkshire man is expensive most often. Liam Plunkett has had a late push late in his career but by the time 2019 world cup arrives England will need another pacer.

If England are to establish themselves as a great ODI side they need a solid bowling line up as well.

#2 Jos Buttler is not just a hitman anymore

England v Australia - Second Royal London One Day International - SSE SWALEC Stadium

Jos Buttler had a wonderful IPL season scoring 548 runs in 13 matches. He was pivotal in Rajasthan's late resurgence which helped them qualify for the playoffs. Buttler was having a mediocre season until he was moved up the order to open- a decision Rajasthan fondly remember. Scoring record equaling 5 consecutive half centuries, the Englishman lit up the entire stadium every time he came out to bat. But one thing to note from Buttler's recent form is that Jos ain't just a hitman anymore. He is not just a finisher anymore.

He proved this once more at Cardiff with 91 not out. He came to the crease at 179/3 and played the second fiddle as long as Roy was smashing at the other end. Once Roy got out Buttler took responsibility and played smart to guide his team in posting a good total on the board.

Stabilising the innings when England lose early wickets, anchoring chases, making use of the last ten overs efficiently- Jos has done it all. Some believe him to be the best-limited overs batsman in this England set-up. Some even call him the English version of AB De Villiers courtesy of his wide range of shots.

To put it all together Jos has come to age and hitting his peak on a right note.

#1 Australia needs Senior Players to stand up

England v Australia - First Royal London One Day International - Kia Oval

Australian cricket went into turmoil following Smith and Warner's ban from international cricket. With the two southpaws not available, Australian cricket team looks highly unstable. One thing they need the most at this moment is the senior players to stand up. The likes of Aaron Finch, Glen Maxwell, Shaun Marsh have to take responsibility now onwards.

Shaun Marsh did hit a wonderful century at Cardiff in the recently concluded ODI against England. He stood there for a long time scoring 131 before being bowled by Liam Plunkett. In the end, Australia were all out for 308 falling short of England's 342 by 38 runs.

Austalia need their senior players to stand up and revive a comeback.