After tasting defeat in the second ODI, Australia will keep a tab of the mistakes they made while chasing 232 in the game. Australia lost all their wickets at just 207 with only Aaron Finch putting up a decent show for the Baggy Greens. Marnus Labuschagne scored 48 while Alex Carey played a cameo of 36 but none of it was enough for the visitors.
Aaron Finch’s form has been instrumental in this series and he is one of the players who can turn the game on its head if he gets going. Australia will also have to rely on David Warner, considering the standards he himself has set for him. The Australian seems to struggle against Jofra Archer and if this continues, a poor ODI series will eventually reflect in the upcoming IPL tournament too.
Australians have always benefitted from his aggressive approach at the top and thus a good kick start will help Australia build a good total or give a promising start towards the target they will be told to chase. As for Steve Smith, he is yet to feature in the series after he was struck with a blow to his head ahead of the first ODI in nets.
However, Smith was available for the second ODI but was benched as a result of safety reasons and the board went up with Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis failed to induce any impact on the game and thus he will most likely be replaced by Steve Smith. The rest of the team is expected to be without changes and will be the same as the second ODI.
For England, twice on the entire tour, they have managed to grab a win when the match was almost out of their hands and there were barely any hopes. It happened for the first time in the first T20 international and for the second time in the second ODI. On both occasions, Australia looked comfortable and was expected to see the game through but England’s bowling shambled the Australian hopes completely in both the cases.
The decider of the series will be played on September 16 at Old Trafford Cricket Stadium, Manchester. With the series at stake, a strong game is anticipated and England are expected to field the same line up as the second ODI. Everyone hopes for an intense adrenaline-pumping encounter and England will be hoping to carry the momentum they gained in the last ODI.
Not to forget, Adil Rashid’s and Tom Curran’s important contribution in the last ODI was very useful in the end and thus England has a tight grip on the game beforehand unless Finch and co come up with something spectacular.
Key Battles
Sam Billings vs Adam Zampa
Sam Billings is having a pretty decent tour, but he has often failed to deliver consistently. Billings scored a brilliant century, however, it ended in a losing cause and as mentioned above, he failed to make an impact in the next game. However, Billings has the versatility that is needed in today's modern times.
Adam Zampa, on the other hand, is still in search for a fixed spot in the national team and thus requires to prove himself via some top performances. Zampa has been battling with another set of problems and that is his line and length. One game turns out to be his best but suddenly he starts conceding in the other games. Both the players' have an opportunity to make it big as it the series decider. Let's see who comes out on top.
Jofra Archer vs Aaron Finch
Jofra Archer has been England's most talked bowler and has drawn headlines mainly after he chose to represent England over West Indies. It is not a hidden fact that David Warner has struggled against him and when a batsman of Warner's caliber is struggling then the bowler is capable enough.
The Australian skipper, however, has been on a totally different level recently. Finch has been hitting the ball well and has faced Archer beautifully. Out of the five times, Finch has faced Archer, Archer has only managed to get his wicket once. However, the decider will have added pressure and it will be interesting to see if the Finch vs Archer battle witnesses a lot of boundaries or things turn in favor of Archer.
Prediction: England to win.
