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Birmingham: Two-time defending champions they might be, but Australia are looking more vulnerable than ever as they brace up for their Champions Trophy Group A opener against confident Ashes rivals England on Saturday.
Their patchy form aside, Aussies have a major worry to deal with as skipper Michael Clarke's long-standing back problem has flared up once again, ruling him out for Saturday's match.
The inspirational skipper is a crucial cog in the Australian scheme of things given that his batting form has more often than not been the difference between a win and loss for the team in the past few months.
England, on the other hand, would be looking to flourish in familiar conditions even though they endured an ODI series loss to a rather weak New Zealand just before the Champions Trophy.
But an overall assessment of their ODI stats would reveal that since 2010, England have won 23 and lost only 11 of the 37 matches they have played at home.
Australia, a team well past its glory days, is struggling to cope with what has been a tormenting transitional phase.
The side's batting has looked brittle and this frailty was most recently exposed in the warm-up match against India last week when they were bowled out for just 65 runs while a chasing a steep 309.
The team would also be looking at imposing all-rounder Shane Watson to do quite a lot of scoring after a fine IPL stint with the Rajasthan Royals.
Watson would be crucial here as well along with Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc but the lack of a quality slower bowler could pinch the team as it guns for its third consecutive Champions Trophy title.
England, in contrast, look a settled squad even though the absence of an injured Kevin Pietersen could hurt them quite a bit.
Bulk of the scoring is likely to be done by the top-order trio of Ian Bell, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott with the likes of Joe Root and Jos Buttler expected to build on the solid starts.
The bowling line-up is impressive with the formidable pace trio of James Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad ably supported by skilful spinner Graeme Swann.
Teams from:
England: Alastair Cook (Capt.), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn
Australia: George Bailey (Capt.), Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, David Warner, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Voges, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay and Glenn Maxwell.
Match facts
Saturday June 8, 2013
Start time 10:30am local (0930 GMT)
