Injury-hit Australia remain powerful

Match facts

September 8, 2015
Start time 2pm local (1pm GMT)

Big Picture

In the grand scheme of things - amid the endless number of limited-overs series that satisfy broadcasting commitments but have little other context - this series is preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 and the World Cup in 2019, both of which will be hosted by the ECB.

The message, so far, as both teams take the opportunity to look at new players, is that Australia have more reason for optimism in this format than England. Two-nil up with three to play, Australia need only one more win to wrap-up the series.

It was always likely that this series could prove resistant to England's recent resurgence. Australia have won the last seven ODIs between the countries and 11 of the last 12. They also won the ODI series following Ashes defeats in 2009 and 2013. While they are the World Champions and No. 1 rated side, England have never won a World Cup and could well be overtaken by Bangladesh in the ratings in the coming months.

There have been several differences between the sides in the series to date. While both teams have deep batting line-ups and appear committed to an aggressive approach, Australia have the potency within their attack to threaten throughout the innings. While England have struggled to take wickets in the opening overs - only once in the seven ODIs this summer have they had the opposition more than two wickets down at the halfway stage of the innings - Australia have the pace and variety to threaten throughout and snuff out realistic chances of a late-order recovery. So far in this series, England have started pretty well but been pulled back by a relentless Australia attack.

Life may be a little difficult for Australia now. A glut on injuries has forced them to call up three reinforcements which, combined with retirements, suspensions and the decision to rest some players, means there are likely to be only four members of the team on display here who won the World Cup final less than six months ago.

It says much for England's form in the series to date that the two players whose reputations have probably improved most have not played. But the absence of Joe Root has been felt keenly, while Stuart Broad's ODI career looks to have a little more life in it than was the case after England's early elimination from the World Cup. England's batting order might gradually be taking shape, but the opportunity for bowlers to prove their worth remains.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
England LLWWL
Australia WWWWW

In the spotlight

Jonny Bairstow could count himself unfortunate to miss out on the original selection for this squad. In his previous ODI, against New Zealand at Durham in June, he came to the crease at 40 for 4 and almost single-handedly won the game for England with an unbeaten innings of 83 from 60 balls. But in that game, too, he was deputising for Jos Buttler and his subsequent recovery - and whatever his Test form, it is only five ODI innings since Buttler scored a century - blocked Bairstow's return. On the face of things, you would think that Bairstow has reasonable aspirations of forcing his way into the side either with the gloves or without. After a prolific season with Yorkshire - he is averaging in excess of 100 in Championship cricket - he will feel that a good performance in these last three ODIs of the summer might force him back into the reckoning.

Aaron Finch has endured a tough year since Australia won the World Cup. His IPL season was ruined by a hamstring injury, before a modest T20 season for Yorkshire (he averaged 12.66) was cut short by a foot injury. In between times, he was taken to hospital after being struck in the chest while batting in a second XI game in county cricket and, in his few opportunities in the first team, he only once passed 50. But his desire to better himself as a batsman is admirable. And, if he looks back on these experiences as crucial to his development as a batsman, he may well conclude it was time well spent. His recall here might be a little premature - he has had only one innings in first team cricket since his foot recovered - but England will know that, unless they get him early or can find lateral movement, he is a dangerous opponent.

Team news

There will be at least one change to the England side with Bairstow replacing Buttler and there will also be a strong temptation to look at one of the left-arm swing bowlers - David Willey or Reece Topley - as England look to add a bit of variation to their attack. Chris Woakes or perhaps Steven Finn could miss out as a consequence. There is also a temptation to move Moeen Ali back up the order, though it is not easy to see how it can be accommodated. England want to take a prolonged look at the Jason Roy and Alex Hales partnership, while James Taylor has made decent scores at No. 3.

England (possible) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 James Taylor, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 David Willey, 10 Liam Plunkett, 11 Steven Finn

Australia have three enforced changes from the second ODI. David Warner is unavailable with a broken thumb, courtesy of a Finn short ball, Shane Watson is unavailable with a calf injury, while Nathan Coulter-Nile has a hamstring strain. None of the trio will feature in the rest of the series. Finch is highly likely to play in place of Warner, while Peter Handscomb and John Hastings have also been added to the squad. But it could be that the trio of young fast bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson - play their first international together. Ashton Agar could also make his ODI debut on a pitch expected to encourage his spin bowling.

Australia (possible) 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Joe Burns, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 George Bailey, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 James Pattinson, 11 Pat Cummins.

Pitch and conditions

Old Trafford has a reputation as one of the better surfaces in English cricket. While that is unlikely to change - despite last year's score in the ODI against Sri Lanka - at this stage of the season, the pitch could be quite dry and Lancashire tend to rely upon their spinners in limited-overs cricket. Both sides could well play two spinners. The weather forecast suggests it will be cool but dry.

Stats and trivia

• In the last ODI on the ground (in May 2014), Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 67. Chris Jordan claimed 5 for 29.
• England have won 22 of the 33 completed ODIs they have played at Old Trafford.
• Ben Stokes has reached 35 only twice in his four-year, 31-match ODI career.
• Chris Woakes has not taken an ODI wicket since the World Cup match against Scotland in Christchurch. In that time, he has played four ODIs and bowled 36.2 overs.

Quotes

"We've a four-year plan. To do well and hopefully win the next World Cup, we have to have a depth of players and reserves ready to go. If we never give some of those guys on the fringes a go, we won't know if they've got the goods."
Trevor Bayliss, England's coach, explains the team's aims in the current series

"One thing you have to learn when you come here is you can't hit through the line of the ball like you can in Australia. The wickets don't come on as much so your technique has to really tighten up. It probably swings more consistently throughout a whole match compared to home. If you're playing out in front of yourself you're going to be vulnerable, especially early in your innings. You have to be so tight with your technique in defence, but when you attack you still have to be spot-on. Guys who have spent a lot of time over here have benefited."
Aaron Finch talks about adjusting to English conditions.