ICC Champions Trophy / Andrew Hughes / 01 October 2009 /

Oh no, it's England versus Australia again! But this one really matters and there is every reason to believe that England can avenge their Natwest Series defeat and reach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy. Andrew Hughes previews the first semi-final.

Conditions

The pitch for this semi-final will be the same one played upon by Australia and Pakistan on Wednesday, a track that offered early seam movement, plenty of grip for the spinners and variable bounce for the quicks. Assuming little will have changed in two days, this could prove to be another low-scoring affair. There is a possibility of rain, both in the build-up and during the match itself so whoever wins the toss will have to weigh up the pros and cons of batting first in a game where Duckworth Lewis could come into play.

Team News

With Michael Clarke and Nathan Bracken unavailable, Australia don't have much scope for team changes. They may consider drafting in swing-bowler Ben Hilfenhaus who could revel in these conditions. Peter Siddle, the most expensive of the front line bowlers so far in this tournament would presumably be the one to step aside.

Eoin Morgan will hand over the wicket-keeping duties and given that Matt Prior's replacement, Stephen Davies was not chosen for Tuesday's game, we can assume that Prior is expected to be fit for this one. Ryan Sidebottom also played against New Zealand and is likely to keep his place at the expense of Graham Onions who struggled a little in the high pressure game against South Africa.

Match Odds

This will be the eighth one day contest between the old rivals, but it is the one that really matters. England have secured two impressive wins over supposedly better opposition in this tournament, but the Australians are not likely to flounder on a green pitch as the Sri Lankans did, nor will they crumble under pressure like South Africa. Their batting has been dogged and their bowling accurate and in Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee, have that touch of class that champions need. They are clear favourites on [1.55]

Nevertheless, there is cause for optimism for Strauss's men. On Wednesday, this pitch looked as though it could have been transplanted from Chester-le-Street or Headingley. Sidebottom, James Anderson and Stuart Broad should all enjoy themselves and the English batsmen, accustomed to nudging and nurdling in low scoring domestic games, will find it easier to judge an innings than on the fast-scoring tracks they usually encounter overseas. It will be close, but at [2.78] England are worth backing to banish those Natwest Series blues and reach their second ever Champions Trophy Final.

Top Batsman

At the moment, Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting look the men in form for Australia and Hussey should be backed for top Aussie batsman at [4.5] or better. He scored a patient half-century on this very pitch on Wednesday and his application and determination are qualities that you would look for in these conditions.

Owais Shah and Eoin Morgan are unlikely to be able to unleash the same range of strokes with which they battered South Africa and it is probably best to side with Paul Collingwood for top England bat. He isn't pretty to watch but he is the man to shore up an innings in tricky batting conditions and is worth backing at [5.0] or better.

Featured Market

Both sides have bowlers who can exploit the conditions and when you factor in the inevitable semi-final nerves, the evidence points to this game being a tense, low-scoring affair. As such it would make sense to back 'Under 82.5 Runs' in the Highest Individual Score market, if you can get [2.0] or better.

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