England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum is confident his batters can handle Australia’s short-ball threat in the first match of the England Perth ODI series at Perth Stadium, after a 92-run warm-up win over Western Australia at the WACA.
England bowled Western Australia out for 159 after posting 251 in their only warm-up match before the three-match ODI series, which begins on Friday, November 13.
“When you come here with the bigger boundaries, the short ball is always a weapon for a bowler. You’ve still got to find ways to score off it, you can’t just keep going under it,” McCullum told reporters.
“Our boys are all very good players of the short ball.”
Archer impresses at the WACA
Jofra Archer looked particularly menacing for the tourists, taking 3-34. McCullum praised the fast bowler’s return to rhythm after a long road back from injury.
“He looked like he was charging in nicely… he’s got skills at the top, in the middle and at the death so it was nice for him to get through some overs,” McCullum said.
Opener Ben Duckett top-scored with 59 for England. The highlight of the innings belonged to captain Harry Brook, who landed a six in the WACA swimming pool. Spinner Adil Rashid then took 4-35 as Western Australia collapsed in reply.
England have lost seamer Josh Tongue to a left big toe injury, which cuts into their pace options before the series starts.
Australia rest their pace trio
Australia are resting their veteran pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for the series. The hosts are looking to bounce back from a multiformat drubbing in South Africa, so the rest gives their younger bowlers a chance to step up.
Lance Morris marked his return from a 20-month back injury with 3-29, at times hitting 145 kph. Fellow seamer Mahli Beardman went wicketless in the tour match.
The ODI series will be followed by five Twenty20 internationals, so both sides will use the 50-over games to settle combinations for the shorter format too.
England Perth ODI: the lesson from last year
England were criticised last year for their preparation before the Ashes. They played an intra-club practice match at Lilac Hill, a slow and low suburban ground that bore no resemblance to the fast and bouncy Perth Stadium, where they lost the Ashes opener inside two days.
This time they chose the WACA, which has kept its traditional seam-friendly character even after its rebuild into a boutique venue with grassy banks, community pools and gymnasiums. The surface gave their batters a real taste of Perth pace before the series starts.
“We love coming out here and playing against Australia. It’s always a great contest, albeit their side looks slightly different than it normally does, there’s never a weak Australian side,” McCullum said.
Sandpapergate returns as a distraction
Fresh debate over “Sandpapergate” has added an unwelcome distraction for the hosts. Former opener Usman Khawaja has claimed that knowledge of the 2018 ball-tampering incident extended beyond those sanctioned, a claim Feature Pakistan reported earlier today.
Australia will want the focus back on the cricket. England, for their part, will want to prove that their batters have learned the Perth lesson, and that the short ball holds no fear for them.
India, meanwhile, have set the pace in the 50-over format this month, after beating New Zealand in a rain-hit second ODI to lead 2-0. Pakistan’s own build-up continues at home, with four players added to the Sri Lanka Tests squad and Mohammad Abbas eyeing a maiden home five-for in the series.
Frequently asked questions
When does the England-Australia ODI series start?
The first ODI takes place at Perth Stadium on Friday, November 13.
How did England do in the warm-up match?
England beat Western Australia by 92 runs at the WACA, posting 251 before bowling the hosts out for 159.
Who starred for England in the warm-up?
Jofra Archer took 3-34, Ben Duckett top-scored with 59, and Adil Rashid took 4-35. Captain Harry Brook hit a six into the WACA swimming pool.
Which Australian pacers are being rested?
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are all being rested for the ODI series.
