ODI preview / Michael Vaughan / 12 October 2011 /

India should win this series but Friday's match represents a unique chance for England to put the pressure on the world champions. Here's why, says Michael Vaughan.

I've already said in my series preview that Friday's match could well be England's best chance of winning a match. Never underestimate the importance of meticulous preparation and the work done by the back-room staff in briefing the players on what to expect from the opposition. And in that regard England are a lot better at doing those things than India. If that's the case, Alastair Cook's men have a great chance of going 1-0 up and if they manage to do that, a great chance of pushing India all the way. That wouldn't be great news for my 4-1 correct score prediction but it would show just how far England have come as an ODI team.

If it's India who win this first game however, England could be in for a really torrid time and lose the series heavily.

The first thing England need to is get their team selection right. And for me that means picking Jonny Bairstow in the middle-order, more precisely to come in at five. He was superb in that final ODI in Cardiff and we've already seen plenty of fireworks from him in the warm-up matches. We've seen for years how the likes of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina can be so destructive for India at the end of an innings and England need someone of their own who can clear the ropes. That may mean that someone like Ian Bell misses out to start with but it's a gamble worth taking. As for the bowling, if these wickets are going to spin, then play plenty of spinners. Hardly rocket-science but I'd like to see Graeme Swann, Samit Patel and Scott Borthwick all included and also for Kevin Pietersen to be given the odd over. Steve Finn and Tim Bresnan would be the 'quicks' I'd use with Ravi Bopara also getting a bowl from time to time with his accurate medium-pacers.

If Alastair Cook wins the toss he should bat first.Chasing in India can be tough under lights but England need to be ambitious in terms of posting totals. Anything less than 300 can often be chased at most Indian grounds so they have to set their sights high and realise that what seems like a good score in England isn't necessary competitive over there. That's precisely where the likes of Bairstow comes in and the key will be to build a platform, keep wickets in hand and tell him to go out and express himself. If he gets out going for the big shot so be it, but there's no point in dying wondering.

All things considered England are value at [2.16] to win this match but remember that the lay button is there next to England's name, should India find themselves in a spot of bother chasing a big total. These are good wickets and small boundaries and a couple of good overs with the bat can change the course of the match so it may be worth laying Cook's men at a short price if you have the chance. Because with the likes of Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina in the side, India always have the ability to bounce back from a poor start. A century to be scored at around [2.1] is worth a dabble as is a punt on Jonathan Trott to top score for England at [5.2]. He won't always get his runs quickly but coming in at three he'll be at the crease for a long time and if he gets going, that will help England's cause no end.

2 pts Back England to win @ [2.16]
2 pts Back a century to be scored @ [2.1]
1 pt Back Jonathan Trott to be top England batsman @ [5.2]

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