Australia v England ODI Cricket Betting Preview, Tips and Odds

Cricket Betting

England’s cricketers have come back to down to earth in the past couple of matches, after the euphoric high of their 3-1 series victory in the Ashes against Australia. After a thrilling win in the first of two Twenty20 matches against the hosts, England lost the second encounter, ending their unbeaten streak. Prior to that defeat, England had set a world record of consecutive Twenty20 wins. Now the One Day International series is in swing, and a century knock by Australia’s Shane Watson, was enough to see off England’s first innings total. That was the first of seven ODI matches between Australia and England, and while the victory in the first match will have given the Aussies a hope of winning something, they are really struggling to hold on to their number one ODI ranking status. The ODI’s may not have as much importance as the Test Matches of course, but they do offer some great entertainment, and more than that, there are bigger fish to fry this year, which these matches will prepare both sides for. In the not too distant future, England and Australia will be heading to the World Cup, which starts on February 19th, so while both sides will want victories and to build momentum, there may be one eye on that World Cup. England are currently second favourites to win the Cricket World Cup priced at 5/1 with Bet365, and that has to be worth a dabble.

Australia started the ODI series against England as favourites, and while that may be a surprise to many, especially English fans, they are still a major threat in that format of the game. Certainly their 2010 wasn’t covered in glory, but they are still the number one ranked team in the world. England? Well they are the fifth ranked team, even though their form in the ODI format has been much better than that of Australia, and England have won all five of their last ODI series. That is some impressive form, and with good knocks from Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, England could not hold on to their total of 249, and the Aussies took the win with the first ball in the 50th over. So, it was a close contest, but opener Watson’s knock of 161 was the highlight of the match. There was no James Anderson in the England bowling attack, and of course are without the injured Stuart Broad. The England attack led by Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett, really never made enough of an impact, and even Graeme Swann was largely ineffective, although he was economical. Swann will now be out of action for a couple of weeks with an injury. While this is a long run of games for both Australia and England, especially with the World Cup in mind, the conditions in Australia are completely different to what the tracks will be out in India and Sri Lanka in February. But there is a good contest for places in the England world cup squad now, and it should be an exciting proposition to see them in action, to see if they can back up their Twenty20 victory in beating the world last year. There is a genuine call for a top all rounder in the squad, something they are lacking.

Australia v England 2nd ODI Match Odds

Australia to win: 10/11 at SkyBet
England to win: Evens at Bet365

As for the ODI International series against Australia, you may see players being shuffled around, as the England selectors get a look at some of the players who are knocking on the door of a World Cup spot. Will this make England more competitive on the pitch, enough so to take down Australia? Well, there is the general consensus that Australia will be wagging their tail here. The pressure of winning back the Ashes has gone, and having to perform on the Test stage, with all the problems surrounding their selection and captain Ricky Ponting, so they have a chance to cut lose. They are not in great form, especially with the bat, but there is a big opportunity here for them, and they should be backed to take it. They are the home side naturally, who will be perfectly suited to their own conditions. The fast bouncy pitches play into their hands, and if they can find their aggressive swagger again, then they will be OK. There really shouldn’t be too much to chose between them, and while England are brimming with confidence, and have some players in great form, but the Aussies have to give their home fans something to cheer about. Beating England in the ODI series, even though it is really long and enduring will be the perfect tonic for them. The wounded beast is well worth a punt, and remember their 6-1 hammering of England in the ODI following the Ashes in 2009.

Next Three ODI Dates….
January 21st, 2nd ODI, Hobart
January 23rd, 3rd ODI, Sydney
January 26th, 4th ODI, Adelaide

Australia v England ODI Series Outright Winner

Australia to Win: 3/5 at SportingBet
England to Win: 6/4 at Totesport

Australia v England ODI Series Correct Score

Australia 4-3: 2/1 at Bet365
England 4-3: 11/4 at Stan James
Australia 5-2: 11/4 at Paddy Power
England 5-2: 8/1 at Totesport
Australia 6-1: 9/1 at SportingBet