A win against England in Ahmedabad on Saturday will take Australia one step closer to the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Here are three key battles from the ENG vs AUS game
After a slow start, Australia have been performing really well in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Pat Cummins-led side have won their last four matches and will look to continue their winning streak and make it a high five, and the clash against England in Ahmedabad on Saturday is the perfect opportunity. (Match Blog | Streaming | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
This match is crucial for Australia in the race to the semi-finals, and England might turn out to be an easy target for them. The morale is high in the Australian camp because of the successive wins, especially the close victory in the last match against New Zealand.
England, on the other hand, are on a losing streak and will want to break it against Australia on Saturday. The game might not be an easy one for England but they will play this match for pride, so they can end their journey in the World Cup with a good win or two. After facing a crushing 100-run defeat in their last match against India, the wounded England will not leave any stone unturned to challenge arch-rivals Australia.
Here are three key battles from the ENG Vs AUS game:
David Warner Vs David Willey
Left-handed batsman David Warner is one of the crucial players for Australia and he always performs his role well while opening for the team. He has smashed 413 runs in six matches, including two centuries and a half century. Warner, in the last match against New Zealand, scored 81 runs and will look to continue in the same vein against England, for whom David Willey has lately been doing quite well. Willey claimed three wickets in his last match and in the clash with Warner, he will be looking to dismiss him early so that Australia don’t get off to a flier.
Dawid Malan Vs Adam Zampa
Dawid Malan is one of the few batsmen for England who have performed well in the ongoing tournament. He has scored 236 runs in six matches, including a century. Malan has the caliber to play long innings and will try to take on leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who has flummoxed rival teams by taking 16 wickets in 6 matches so far. It will be an intrguing face-off between the two as both will look to dominate from the get go.
Adil Rashid Vs Marnus Labuschagne
Right-arm legbreak bowler Adil Rashid is a vital player for England who can effect the breakthroughs when the team needs. He has picked eight wickets in six matches and his clash with Marnus Labuschagne will be a must-watch. In the past four years, Marnus Labuschagne has grown to become Australia's most dependable Test and ODI batter alongside former captain Steve Smith. Marnus is a master at building and anchoring an innings, and has the ability to up the tempo when needed.