ODI preview / Andrew Hughes / 29 January 2011 /

England's spirited showing in Adelaide came at just the right time with the World Cup round the corner and it means this series is still alive with three to play. Andrew Hughes previews Sunday's action in Brisbane

Venue and Conditions
The ground has not been affected directly by the devastating floods that swept through Brisbane earlier this month and we can expect a typical Gabba wicket, offering plenty of pace and true bounce. Strokeplayers like Shane Watson will be in their element and there will be something for the fast bowlers too, particularly given that the groundsman has left a healthy covering of grass on the wicket.

Team News
It seems unlikely that England will make any changes, unless one of the team that won in Adelaide has picked up a knock subsequently. Michael Yardy and Matt Prior appear to have cemented their places and if there is to be a change, it could be that Chris Tremlett is rested and Chris Woakes gets a game.

Given the extra bounce in the surface, Australia will be desperate to get one or ideally both of Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait back into the side after their respective injury problems. They may not want to play two spinners, in which case, Xavier Doherty or Steve Smith will miss out.

Match Odds
England have given themselves a glimmer of a chance of winning the series by putting together a much better all-round performance in Adelaide. At just the right time, out of form players like Prior and Yardy turned up and Johnathan Trott's century was well-timed, although in the long term, his useful bowling spell might prove to be of more significance. The return of James Anderson lends their bowling a degree of menace it had lacked in the first three games.

But Australia have three more chances to put the series to bed and I think they will do it in Brisbane, particularly if both Johnson and Tait are fit. The pitch is more conducive to their fast bowling-dominated attack and they should cause England plenty of problems, whilst the likes of Watson, Cameron White, David Hussey and Brad Haddin should relish the true bounce of a typical Australian pitch. The home side are still a work in progress, but they have the firepower to triumph in these conditions and I will be backing Michael Clarke's men at [1.92]

Top Batsman
It will be an emotional return to Brisbane for local boy Shane Watson. Australia's man of the series so far, he has been in devastating form at the top of the order and will be determined to put on a show for his home crowd. He is the form horse and the one to be on at [4.5] or so in an Australian batting line up that hasn't always fired.

One or two England batsmen are looking good at the moment and many will want to back Trott to continue his excellent form. But this kind of pitch is tailor made for Kevin Pietersen's free-flowing game and batting at four is not a problem for such a quick scorer. He should be backed at [5.0] or better

Featured Market
The average top score on this ground is 91 and I think there is some mileage in backing 'Over 82.5' in the Highest Individual Score market at [1.86] or better.

Andrew Hughes says: Back Kevin Pietersen to top score for England @ [5.0]

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