Cricket
Australia v England First ODI Predictions: 11/10 for England to upset the Aussies Down Under
Australia and England renew their fierce rivalry on Friday as the two sides meet in the first of three One Day Internationals in Perth.
The hosts welcome England for the opening match of their ODI series, with both sides looking to build momentum ahead of next year’s 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Australia will be looking to make home advantage count, but they will be without three of their biggest names in the bowling department. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have all been rested, while Nathan Ellis is also unavailable through injury.
That leaves Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and 21-year-old Mahli Beardman among the options in Australia’s pace attack, with the latter potentially in line for his ODI debut.
England, meanwhile, arrive with a strong batting line-up led by captain Harry Brook, alongside experienced campaigners Joe Root and Ben Duckett. However, they have suffered injury setbacks of their own, with Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell both ruled out of the white ball tour.
The first ODI takes place at Perth Stadium on Friday 13 November, with the series continuing in Adelaide on Sunday before concluding in Hobart next Wednesday.
Prediction: England to win – 11/10
Australia are deserved favourites at 8/11, particularly with home advantage, but England could represent the value at 11/10.
The hosts’ missing pace trio is a significant factor, with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood providing a wealth of international experience and quality. Their absence puts extra responsibility on Australia’s less established bowling options, particularly against an England batting line-up packed with attacking talent. Brook, Root and Duckett give the visitors plenty of firepower.
Australia certainly have enough quality to win on home soil, but England look an attractive alternative at a bigger price.
Australia (8/11)
Despite their bowling absentees, Australia remain a formidable proposition, particularly with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order.
Head is always capable of taking a game away from the opposition, with his aggressive approach making him dangerous in the powerplay. He is 3/1 to be Australia’s top run scorer, while captain Marsh is available at 10/3.
Josh Inglis and Cameron Green are also important players in the Australian batting line-up, both priced at 5/1 to finish as their side’s leading run scorer.
With the ball, Adam Zampa could prove particularly influential. The leg-spinner is Australia’s leading wicket-taking option and is 5/2 to be their top bowler.
Xavier Bartlett is another one to watch at 11/4, having been handed an opportunity to lead the attack in the absence of Australia’s established quicks.
England (11/10)
England have plenty of batting quality to trouble the Australian attack, with Joe Root and Harry Brook likely to be central to their chances.
Root’s experience and ability to build an innings make him an appealing option at 3/1 to be England’s top run scorer. Meanwhile, Brook’s aggressive approach makes him a tempting alternative at 11/4.
Ben Duckett is another key figure at the top of the order, priced at 9/2, while Tom Banton is 5/1 to finish as England’s leading run scorer.
With the ball, Jofra Archer is the standout name. His pace and ability to generate bounce should suit the conditions in Perth, and he is 5/2 to be England’s top bowler.
Liam Dawson is priced at 7/2, with Gus Atkinson available at 4/1. Both could play important roles as England look to exploit Australia’s less experienced bowling attack.
All odds are subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing.
