Twenty20 / Ed Hawkins / 15 May 2010 /

The old enemy do battle in the newest of formats in Bridgetown, Barbados on Sunday. Australia have been superb, England surprising. Something has to give so Ed Hawkins tries to work out what

Team news
A pinch of this, a dash of that, add only at a certain time and then drain away. As a recipe for success goes, the constant chopping and changing that teams attempt in Twenty20 rarely inspires confidence. So England and Australia face off in the final bristling with intent thanks to a heady and uncommonly good mix.

Both have used only 12 players in the tournament, England's one change (Ravi Bopara for Kevin Pietersen) was enforced while Australia gave Mitchell Johnson a rest in favour of Ryan Harris. Neither Bopara or Harris are likely to be involved on Sunday.

With 201 runs, Pietersen is England's top runscorer. It is a welcome return to form for the bolshy (let's face it) South African, totally in keeping with the sense of freedom that new fathers often feel when they return to the crease. However, unlike in the past when you stopped KP you had England by the nuts, Eoin Morgan is the sort of nuggety middle-order man who can prise free from any grip with his array of extraordinary shots. He has 168 runs.

For Morgan see Mike Hussey. So cool he must have anti-freeze running through his veins, Mr Cricket struck a 24-ball 60 to get his team home in the semi-final against Pakistan. With the ball, Australia have four (Nannes, Smith, Johnson, Tait) of the top eight wicket-takers in the tournament.

Venue and conditions
Despite the relish with which these sides will outwardly greet each other, inside both will be wishing they were instead facing either Pakistan or Sri Lanka. The Bridgetown surface, with its pace and bounce, would have been perfect for dismantling a sub-continental team's challenge. If it favours anyone in the showpiece, it is probably Australia because the floaty Ryan Sidebottom is playing for the opposition.

More importantly there is a heavy toss bias in Barbados. Of the 10 games played there nine have been won by the side batting first. The odd one out was England chasing down 147 against Pakistan. The average first-innings score is 161. Laying more than 170 could be the wager - it's happened only three times.

Match odds
England have never won a global one-day tournament. The original chokers have spluttered in three World Cup finals (West Indies 1979, Australia 1987, Pakistan 1992) and one ICC Champions Trophy final (West Indies 2004) . They should breathe easy, though. All Paul Collingwood needs to do is win the toss and they're home and hosed.
Likewise punters should not fret. We could spend hours weighing up the respective strengths of the two teams but when we have such a clear and present toss bias, there really is no point.

Of course with England priced at a whopping [2.62] we hope the call goes in their favour (this column advised them on the outright before the last-four stroll over Sri Lanka so don't be afraid to lay off) while there will be slim pickings if it is Australia who bat first at [1.6].

Otherwise the game could be won or lost in the opening six overs. David Warner and Shane Watson, Australia's openers, are the best in the world. They will try to rip England's heart out while England's pair of international newcomers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb face their greatest challenge.

Featured market
The highest individual score market is set at over/under 68.5 runs. The statistics suggest we should be going high. The last five top-bat efforts read: 85, 98, 53, 67 and 98. That is an average of 80. Clear value at [2.50].

Top batsman
Mike Hussey is as big as [8.60] to be Australia top bat following his knock against Pakistan. It is not a bad bet considering he delivered another rescue package at this venue against Bangladesh. Runs further down the order have been the order for Australia in Bridgetown. Cameron White smashed 85 from 49 against Sri Lanka. He is [4.60] (Any Other Batsman). Watson is favourite at [4.20].

Pietersen has top scored in each of England's two wins in Bridgetown and it is no surprise to see him at [3.80] ahead of Kieswetter [4.80] and Lumb [4.50]. Morgan looks overpriced at [7.60].

Trivia
England and Australia have completed only three games in Twenty20 with two being washed out. The Aussies have a 2-1 lead.

Ed Hawkins says: back the team batting first

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