ODI preview / Andrew Hughes / 16 September 2009 /

Australia are going for a whitewash. Can Andrew Strauss's men stop them? Andrew Hughes previews Thursday's Sixth One Day International at Trent Bridge...

Conditions

On Tuesday, the Trent Bridge groundsman served up the truest pitch of the series so far and we can assume that Thursday's track will be no different. Ball came nicely onto bat and even England's misfiring batting line-up managed to get close to 300. Traditionally the ball has swung at Trent Bridge, but there was precious little evidence of that the other night and the most significant feature as the game drew on was the dew that slickened up the outfield and made things tricky for England in the field. With this being another day-nighter, whoever wins the toss may choose to field first and avoid the more difficult fielding conditions later on.

Team News

With this series dead and the Champions Trophy getting underway next week, both teams have been rotating their squads a little. Australia gave Peter Siddle a chance on Tuesday and it is possible that Adam Voges, who hasn't played since the warm-up against Scotland might get a game on Thursday. For England, rotation has coincided with the need to be seen to be shaking up a losing team and one or two unfortunate injuries. Luke Wright is the latest casualty and his absence for the remainder of the series means that Dimitri Mascarenhas is likely to feature here and in the final game at Durham. With James Anderson still 'resting' there is a chance that Graham Onions could get a game, again with the Champions Trophy in mind.

Match Odds

With Brett Lee absent on Tuesday and having the chance to bat first on a good pitch, England had a good chance of victory but they blew it. The inability of the English batsmen to turn good starts into decent scores is starting to become embarrassing. There was more impetus about their batting on Tuesday and at long last, they used the powerplay with a little imagination, but once again a solid start ground to a halt in the middle overs before Eoin Morgan brought some late innings acceleration. More alarmingly, their fielding looked very ragged, with crucial runs being leaked towards the end of the Australian run-chase.

Whereas some might have hoped that England could grab a consolation win or two from this series as the Aussies sat back on an unassailable lead, it is the home side who are looking as though they can't wait for this to be over. Although England's odds are lengthening after every game and would in theory become value at some point, their performances are deteriorating at a similar rate and so although they are currently [2.68] to win the sixth match of the series, it would be a brave punter who took that price. Australia are a predictably short [1.58]

Top Batsman

Top England batsman is a real case of 'take your pick'. Ravi Bopara is the only batsman who could be said to be out of form and a case could be made for any of the top six to finish as top-scorer. However, Eoin Morgan should be high on confidence after his half-century on Tuesday, during which he even managed to hit the odd six, something almost unheard of for England batsmen this series and he should be backed at anywhere around [5.0] or higher. For Australia, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Cameron White and Callum Ferguson have shown themselves to be the best four. But Clarke has scored his runs at a funereal rate of 67.18 and both White and Ferguson have been moved down the order since Ponting's return. The Australian captain is the most viable candidate, is in sublime touch after his break and should be backed at [4.0] or better.

Specialist Market

Just about the only area in which England have had the upper hand in this series has been their opening partnership. In the five matches so far, England have had the highest first wicket score on four occasions. It may be worth backing England in the 'Opening Partnership' market at [2.0] or higher.

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