Australia Their captain Mitchell Marsh suffered a major setback as he was ruled out of the fifth and final ODI due to pain. Marsh’s injury presented Steve Smith with a great opportunity to step up as captain for Australia in the series-deciding ODI against England.
With the ongoing five-match ODI series tied 2-2, the Bristol Seat Unique Stadium is set for a heated contest between the two Ashes rivals on Sunday 29 September. Cooper Connolly is set to make his Bristol debut as goalkeeper Alex. Carey dropped out of the game in 11.
Steve Smith steps in as captain for Australia in the ODI series decider against England
Australia, under Smith’s captaincy, have made three changes to their line-up for the ODI series decider with England, aiming to bounce back from a heavy 186-run defeat at Lord’s that allowed England to level the series 2-2.
Winning the toss, Smith chose to bowl first under cloudy skies. Recent rain in Bristol and more rain expected later in the day could affect the outcome of the match.
Steve Smith said during the shooting in Bristol:We go to the bowl. It’s a big game; you need to start well with the ball; some rain around. Looking forward to this game. No Marsh, no Kerry, no Abbott.”
England captain Harry Brooke said: “We would also play bowls due to cloudy conditions. This is a decisive game. We have a change. Jofra Archer is out; Ollie Stone walks in.”
Recent rain in Bristol and more rain expected later in the day could affect the outcome of the match. Notably, Marsh felt sore after the fourth ODI at Lord’s, where he bowled for the first time since April and took 1-27 in four overs.
Marsh is injured due to heavy workload
Australia’s T20I captain’s anxiety has been blamed on the demanding schedule during Australia’s month-long tour of Great Britain rather than his return to bowling. The final ODI against England is Australia’s fifth ODI in just 11 days and adds to its heavy workload.
Talking about the Bristol ODI, Australia preferred to bowl first and England started quite well with the bat. England openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett started the innings with a bang as they hit six boundaries and a six against Australia in the ongoing fifth ODI.
Note that September 29, 2017 is the latest date for an ODI match in the England season, corresponding to the fifth ODI match between England and West Indies on the same day at Southampton. Currently England’s score is 58 without loss. Australia.
Here is the playing XI for England vs Australia 5th ODI:
Australia XI: Travis Head, Matt Short, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
England XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Braydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Adil Rashid
