The countdown of the World Cup 2015 has started with Australia locking horns with England in the first match of the tri-series at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a bid to get themselves ready for the mega event.
Where to watch tri-series online live streaming:
The Australia vs England match is scheduled for a 03:20 GMT (08:50 IST) start, with live streaming option HERE for India viewers. The match is telecasted by Star Sports network in India. Live score updates are available HERE and HERE. In Australia, Nine Network will telecast the match live, with live streaming option HERE. The match is also available live online HERE. Sky Sports will broadcast the game in the United Kingdom with live streaming option HERE.
Australia are certainly heading as favourite in the tie and despite not having the likes of Michael Clarke in the side they are unlikely to face any hindrance in the first tie. England will have to play out of their skins to beat the four-time world champions.
There are no Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in the side and the captaincy is in the young hands of Eoin Morgan. Morgan, who was representing Ireland in the international stage few years back, has a gigantic task in hand of leading the side.
England is not a limited-overs side and they will certainly miss the prowess of Pietersen, who is hitting quite well in the Big Bash League. But, Moeen Ali and Ian Bell, in the practice game, showed they can also hit it big and England would need it a lot.
“I’m very happy with the group of players that I have – I think this is the best group of players we have to drive the England team forward over the next two months in particular,” Morgan said.
Australia, meanwhile, despite not having Clarke is one scary squad, featuring Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, David Warner and Steve Smith, to name a few. Maxwell has hinted to peak form at the right time, while Smith is in a midas touch.
The hosts also have a balanced bowling department, despite Marsh not fit to bowl, and feature Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson. Johnson is coming back after a rest and it would be a good opportunity to get some overs under the belt.
Squads: Australia: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Shane Watson.
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell and Chris Woakes.
