Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 11 January 2011 /

With the Ashes over, the two old foes turn their focus on white balls and coloured clothing at Adelaide on Wednesday morning. Ed Hawkins analyses the contest. Follow him on Twitter here

Team news
A case of in with the old and the new for Australia. Familiar faces like Brett Lee and Shaun Tait are expected to be included while Cameron White is the leader after Michael Clarke quit the Twenty20 scene. Tim Paine is the deputy.

There should be a debut for Victoria batsman Aaron Finch at No 3. David Warner and Shane Watson - don't be fooled by his Test-match go-slow, this guy can whack it - should open. Steve O'Keefe is the spinner and Mitchell Johnson an all-rounder in an attack which has plenty of pace.

Ashes heroes not involved for England are Andrew Strauss, James Anderson and Alastair Cook. Ian Bell, a centurion against the PM's XI at Canberra, and Surrey wicketkeeper Simon Davies are expected to open. The new ball should go to Ajmal Shahzad and Chris Tremlett.

Venue and conditions
The Adelaide Oval, as we know from the Test match, is one of the finest batting surfaces in the world. In Twenty20 in the last 18 months we have had a high first-innings total of 202 and a low of 131. The average during that time (six games) is 166. Factor that figure into innings runs wagers. There is a toss bias, too. In the last six Big Bash games the side batting first has won five times. The weather is set fair.

Match odds
With a bowling line-up of Shahzad and Tremlett, only two T20 internationals between them, it is difficult not to fancy Australia. At the very least we should expect Warner and Watson to get off to a fast start.

But we cannot recommend backing the home side at [1.89]. As readers should know, the odds are our guide and they are pointing us firmly in the direction of England.

At [2.10] they are surprisingly big. We expected favouritism, to be honest. They are, after all, world champions and if they win they will set a new world record of eight consecutive victories in the format. Australia have lost four in a row. The gulf is not justified, especially with the toss crucial.

Top batsman
On such a good batting wicket do not underestimate the importance of getting with an opener. Remember they have the most time to bat and have the use of the fielding restrictions.

Warner, Australia's top bat in T20 over the last 12 months with 373 runs, is [4.20] for top bat and [2.52] for a 50. Warner top scored in a Big Bash match at the venue earlier this term. Watson, fourth on the runs list, is [4.10] for honours and [2.52] for a 50. Warner would be our pick.

Michael Lumb is [4.50] for England but we're not too sure the opener will play. Bell, who must have cemented his place with that ton, is [5.00]. He is [2.52] for a 50. Davies should not be ruled out, either. Often underrated he is as clean a striker of a ball as you will see. He is [4.50].

Kevin Pietersen, who will probably keep out Jonathan Trott, is [4.10]. Eoin Morgan, probably the reason Any Other is jolly at [4.00], is much admired but has had little batting time on tour.

Recommended Bet:
Back England to win T20 at [2.1]

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