The 36th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will see arch-rivals England and Australia resume their storied cricketing rivalry at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. This venue staged a thriller earlier in the tournament when India edged out the Aussies in a last-ball finish.
England’s title defense has been nothing short of shambolic. The inventors of the game languish at the bottom of the points table with just one win in six matches. Their World Cup dream lies in tatters.
Australia meanwhile have recovered impressively after initial defeats to stamp their authority. Four wins on the bounce have put them on the cusp of sealing a semi-final berth.
Ashes foes England and Australia have competed in countless memorable contests over the decades. Though England are down and out, expect no quarter to be given in this iconic matchup.
England will be determined to salvage some pride by denting Australia’s momentum. But the Aussies will show no mercy and ruthlessly pounce on their struggling rival.
With players on both sides who relish these big occasions, a thrilling battle awaits at the world’s largest cricket stadium. England may be on the ropes, but write them off at your peril when it’s Australia in their crosshairs.
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England Overview
Not even the most pessimistic England fan could have predicted the depths their team has plunged to at this World Cup. From ‘Bazball’ exponents to whipping boys, England’s title defense has quickly turned into a nightmare.
Their high-risk batting approach has spectacularly backfired. Regular collapses have seen England bowled out for paltry totals. Skipper Jos Buttler has managed just 68 runs in 6 innings, symbolic of his team’s struggles.
The bowling too has lacked discipline and consistency. Despite flashes of brilliance from the likes of Mark Wood, England have struggled to take wickets in the crucial middle overs. Their sloppy fielding has spilled several chances at key moments.
With their World Cup campaign in shambles, all England can now play for is pride. They must win their last two games to have any chance of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Handling the Australia juggernaut will require a mammoth improvement in all departments. For the likes of Buttler, Stokes, Root and Woakes, performing against the old enemy could redeem their World Cup to some extent.
England have hit rock bottom but will be itching to show they still have some fight left with a statement win over Australia. It will require a Herculean effort but one can never fully write off England.
Australia Overview
After a horror start to their World Cup campaign with big losses to India and England, Australia have emphatically stormed back into contention. Their surge up the points table has been founded on a fearsome batting lineup firing on all cylinders.
David Warner has been sublime, racking up two centuries and three fifties to top the run charts with 516. His prolific opening partnership with Travis Head has crushed attacks. Steve Smith too has found form while Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis provide finishing fireworks.
In the bowling department, Adam Zampa has been a revelation with his accurate leg-spin accounting for 11 wickets already. Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have all struck regular blows but have also leaked runs at times.
Mitchell Marsh has returned home for personal reasons while all-rounder Cameron Green could replace the injured Glenn Maxwell in the middle order. Pacer Kane Richardson may also come into the XI to boost the bowling.
After some early hiccups, Australia are clicking nicely as a unit now. Two wins from their last three games will seal a semi-final spot. Given England’s troubles, the Aussies will be licking their lips at the prospect of inflicting more misery on their traditional rivals.
England vs. Australia Starting XI
Expected Starting XI for England:
- Jos Buttler (c & wk),
- Dawid Malan,
- Ben Stokes,
- Joe Root,
- Harry Brook,
- Liam Livingstone,
- Moeen Ali,
- Sam Curran,
- Chris Woakes,
- Adil Rashid,
- Mark Wood
Expected Starting XI for Australia:
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Marsh
- David Warner
- Steven Smith
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
- Josh Hazlewood
England are unlikely to tinker much with their floundering combination. Mark Wood should return to lead the pace attack after missing the India game. The spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid need to step up. For Australia, Marsh’s absence will be filled by the in-form Cameron Green. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade could replace Josh Inglis behind the stumps. Kane Richardson is likely to come in for rested quick Josh Hazlewood.
The key battles will be between England’s new ball pair of Wood and Chris Woakes against the prolific Australian openers Warner and Head. Leg-spinners Rashid and Zampa could also have a big say in the outcome. Overall, both teams match up well on paper. But Australia’s superior current form and confidence puts them in the ascendancy ahead of this marquee game.
See the confirmed starting lineups below an hour before the match starts.
England vs. Australia Head-to-Head
England versus Australia is arguably the biggest rivalry in cricket history. The old foes have faced each other 155 times in ODIs with Australia edging the head-to-head 87 wins to 63. The arch-rivals have also clashed in nine World Cup matches with Australia holding a 6-3 advantage. Australia infamously defeated England in the 1987 World Cup final. Redemption came for England in 1992.
Most recently at the 2019 World Cup, England thrashed Australia by 8 wickets in the group stage on way to their maiden title. However, Australia hold the overall edge in World Cup meetings. In the 2022 ODI series played in Australia, the home team edged out England 2-1 in a closely fought contest. England did secure a resounding win in the final match.
Considering England’s prolonged struggles over the last few years in ODI cricket, Australia will fancy their chances of continuing their dominance in this format too. But England usually lift themselves against the old enemy, making predictions hazardous. Their World Cup clash promises to be another epic chapter in this iconic cricket rivalry.
Weather & Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will provide the backdrop for England and Australia’s latest showdown. The weather forecast predicts ideal cricket conditions – clear skies with temperatures around 29 degrees Celcius and low humidity. The pitch here tends to be on the slower side which allows spinners to grip the surface and extract sharp turn as the match progresses. Batting becomes tricky in the second half as the ball stops and turns.
In the four games at this venue in the World Cup so far, the average first innings total is 257. No team has managed to cross 300 here yet. The key will be for batsmen to get set and rotate the strike regularly on this two-paced surface.
Playing with soft hands and minimizing dot balls will be crucial. The chasing teams have won three of the previous four matches at this ground aided by dew in the second innings. Bowling discipline and variations will be vital to overcome the wet ball.
Considering the venue trends, the side winning the toss should look to chase. A first innings total around 270-280 could prove very competitive if bowlers exploit the surface. With dew likely, batting second gives the advantage. An intriguing batting versus bowling battle awaits on this used surface. The team adapting better has the edge.
England vs. Australia Prediction
Based on current form and confidence levels, Australia seem to hold a clear edge heading into this mouth-watering clash. England’s battered morale after their World Cup debacle makes them vulnerable against a rampant Australian team brimming with self-belief.
Australia’s blistering batting lineup led by the in-form David Warner appears light years ahead of England’s beleaguered batting unit. Australia also boast a more potent bowling attack spearheaded by the pace of Starc and Hazlewood.
However, the unpredictability of an England versus Australia encounter means assumptions can prove foolish. England will be determined to salvage pride by toppling their fiercest foe. If England’s powerful batting lineup of Buttler, Stokes, Bairstow and Roy click together, they can overwhelm any attack. Adil Rashid’s leg-spin could also stifle Australia’s batting.
But England’s up-and-down form and low confidence remain a big concern. Australia seem to hold all the aces currently. Considering how clinical Australia have been lately, they deserve to start as firm favorites. Write off England at your peril, but Australia appear primed to pile more World Cup misery on their traditional rivals.
England vs. Australia Betting Tips
With two strong batting lineups on show, betting on over 300+ match total runs has good value. Consider the safer over 290-300 runs line. David Warner is in scintillating World Cup form and a prime pick for top match run-scorer. Steve Smith and Travis Head are also good choices.
For top England batsman, wager on Jos Buttler or Ben Stokes to finally come good against the Aussies. Adam Zampa is a good pick for top wicket-taker given his superb World Cup form. For England, Mark Wood is their go-to pacer.
England starting as underdogs means betting on them at higher odds could give good returns if their batsmen fire. With dew likely, consider betting on the team chasing to win the match irrespective of who bats first.
Based on Australia’s batting dominance, consider betting on them easily chasing 275+ or 280+ if they bat second. Punting on individual player milestones like David Warner to score 50+ or 75+ is also recommended.
For a bold punt, bet on unfancied England at decent odds to pull off an upset win and derail Australia’s momentum. With Australia in control currently, they are the safer betting options. But don’t sleep on a wounded England side capable of bouncing back hard.
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If you want to check out our other Cricket World Cup match predictions, you can find them on our site. In the meantime, you can check out how to bet on the Cricket World Cup.
