James Buttler of the Cricket Badger Podcast assesses England's chances as their Champions Trophy campaign gets underway in Lahore on Saturday.
Australia v England
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is the venue where England get their Champions Trophy campaign up and running on Saturday. With two from the four teams in Group B qualifying for the semi-finals there are few chances for error in this tournament.
Australia start favourites at 4/5 after England’s dismal showing in the recent white ball series against India were they were trounced 4-1 in the T20Is and 3-0 in the ODI format. They will be without Jacob Bethell due to a hamstring injury and Tom Banton has been called into the squad as a replacement.
But don’t get suckered into thinking that Australia are amazing. They have been defeated in their last four ODI matches and are missing many of their key players. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh are injured, Mitchell Starc withdrew from the squad and Marcus Stoinis has called it a day in ODIs.
Are Australia taking this tournament seriously? In short yes, as their replacements are decent if inexperienced. Spencer Johnson, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis and Aaron Hardie should be relishing the chance to shine in a pace bowling lineup that’s so difficult to break into. Adam Zampa’s spin provides stand-in skipper Steve Smith with one of the best bowlers in the competition.
And England were hopeless in most areas against India and most obviously struggled against spin. Zampa will be licking his lips.
James' Champions Trophy Bets
A few bets for you in Saturday’s match. We played Adil Rashid to be England’s Top Bowler against India and he delivered. He’s the best England have and, at 11/5 with XX it’s worth sticking with the leggie. He’ll get plenty of help from the Lahore pitch.
Secondly, I think Australia win and Adam Zampa will be their main threat to take the most wickets for them, so take the 5.63/1 on that double.
And finally, there’s a great Special with PaddyPower of Joe Root and Steve Smith to Score 50+ Runs Each @ 6/1.
Please always gamble responsibly.