Australia will aim to knock off England in their five-match one-day international series without the presence of their three world-class bowlers. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will all miss the tour due to injury, leaving skipper Tim Paine to lead his team against the best side in the world with an inexperienced bowling attack.
The Baggy Greens are already without Steve Smith and David Warner due to their suspensions for the ball-tampering scandal. Even with the duo, Australia were smashed on home soil by England losing the series 4-1. Paine has the unenviable task of leading the side forward desperately needing a positive performance to bring the focus of Australian cricket back to matters on the field.
It’s an important series for Australia with the World Cup under a year away. The reigning champions have been struggling for form in the 50-over format since their victory in the 2015 competition. They’ve lost their last three series on the bounce to New Zealand, India and England, while they put forward a meek outing in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Despite their issues, Australia are still considered one of the leading contenders for the 2019 World Cup. Paine's men are backed at 10/3 in the latest cricket betting odds, although a win over the Three Lions may narrow their value for the tournament. The series is an important one for the younger players drafted into the series, who could force their way into the reckoning for the Ashes along with the 50-over competition.
Jhye Richardson will be one of the hopefuls after making his debut against England in January. The 21-year-old was solid on his ODI bow, taking 2-57 in his 10 overs, although the Three Lions recorded a comfortable win at Brisbane. He has played only nine List A matches, including his first ODI. Richardson could gain valuable experience for the World Cup by bowling in English conditions. He is the type of bowler that could thrive on the pitches with gentle movement away from the batsmen. It may be a baptism of fire but, in a series where there is nothing to lose, it would not be a bad prospect for the Baggy Greens to blood the 21-year-old.
Australia's Billy Stanlake has recovered from a fractured finger sustained in the IPL and is preparing to be ready to face England in their limited overs series next month.https://t.co/qXL7SHoIeK pic.twitter.com/XtuW8rYLjG
— ICC (@ICC) May 10, 2018
Billy Stanlake is another promising prospect emerging from the ranks. Standing at 6ft 8in, Stanlake provides bounce and bounce that has brought him success in the T20 format for Australia, the Adelaide Strikers and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In six international T20 matches, he has taken eight wickets at an average of 26. Due to the injuries, Stanlake could be in line to return to the ODI side. He struggled in his two matches to date - failing to fire against Pakistan, taking only one wicket. The 23-year-old showed promise against the Three Lions in the T20 series and may have enough in his locker to find his feet in the 50-over format in England.
There's talent in the Australia pace bowling ranks, but it's time for some of them to prove a point and show that they are capable of deputising for their senior men, who have been prone to injuries in their career.
