- MATCH ANALYSIS IN BRIEF
| Date | Saturday, 4th November 2023 at 13:00 (IST) and at 08:30 (UK) |
| Venue | England vs. Australia will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India |
| Weather | Conditions are expected to be extremely hot and sunny with sweltering temperatures of 34c at the start of play, and despite light winds, they are unlikely to drop below 30c until nightfall. |
| TV & Streaming | Viewers in India: you can watch this match live on Star Sports channels or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. |
| Viewers in Pakistan: you can watch this match live on both PTV Sports and A-Sports or stream it through the PTVFLIX App. | |
| Viewers in Sri Lanka: you can watch this match live on Maharaja TV or stream it on Sirasatv. Lk. | |
| Viewers in Afghanistan: you can watch this match live on Ariana TV. | |
| Viewers in Bangladesh: you can watch it on Gazi TV or stream it through Rabbithole. | |
| Viewers in the UK: you can watch this match live on Sky Sports or stream it via the Sky Go App. | |
| Viewers in Australia: you can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app. | |
| Viewers in South Africa: you can watch this match on SuperSport channels or stream it via the SuperSport app. | |
| Viewers in the USA and Canada: you can watch this match live on Willow TV, whilst viewers from the USA can also stream it via the ESPN+ app. |
KEY BETTING STATS
- England have lost five of their six 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup group stage matches played so far – To Win the Match
- Mark Wood has taken under 1.5 wickets in five of England’s six 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup matches played so far – Bowler Match Wickets
- David Warner has scored 70+ runs in each of Australia’s last three 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup matches – Batter Milestones
BETTING ANALYSIS For ENGLAND
England’s batting has been arguably the biggest disappointment of any collective unit across this World Cup. Their latest collapse saw them bowled out for just 129, chasing 230 to beat India. All of England’s batters folded under the pressure of a tough pitch and brilliant Indian bowling, with not a single player managing to reach 30 runs. However, despite their semi-final hopes having all but ended, England now needs to focus on finishing above two other nations in the group to qualify for the next ICC Champions Trophy.
So often, England’s top batter, Joe Root, is having a nightmare run of form, totaling just 16 runs across his last four innings, including scores of 0, 3, 2, and 11. When taking this into account, backing Root to score under 28.5 runs (1.83) vs Australia has to be favored when coming up against the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.
It is worth noting that openers Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan have at least helped England get off to promising starts in the Powerplay against the new ball. On what is likely to be a good batting surface in Ahmedabad, back the pair to record an opening partnership of over 29.5 runs (1.90) for the third consecutive game.
Since Reece Topley’s World Cup was ended through injury, fellow left-armer David Willey has been comfortably England’s best bowler. The 33-year-old comes into this contest on the back of having taken five of England’s 11 wickets gained across their most recent two fixtures. Figures of 2/30 vs. Sri Lanka were backed up by 3/45 against India, including the wicket of Virat Kohli. Back Willey to once again take over 1.5 wickets (2.50).
BETTING ANALYSIS For AUSTRALIA
Four straight group stage wins for Australia see them travel to Ahmedabad full of confidence and desperate to get one over on their biggest cricketing rivals. However, they’ll have to do so without two key players. All-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh are both unavailable for this encounter, the latter through a concussion sustained off the field, while Marsh has flown home for personal reasons. Expect Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis to replace them in Australia’s starting line-up.
This adds pressure on the top order to pile on the runs here, specifically David Warner, who has been unstoppable in recent games. The experienced opener boasts 413 runs across the group stage so far, with 248 of those coming over the course of his last three innings. Such form demands investment, so back Warner to not only finish as Australia’s top batter (4.00) against England but also to accrue his fourth consecutive score of 50+ runs (2.25).
Fellow opener Travis Head wasted no time making a major impact against New Zealand in what was his first appearance of this World Cup, scoring 109 and winning the ‘Player of the Match’ award. His knock included 7 sixes, and Head’s big-striking abilities make him well worth backing to hit the most match sixes for Australia (4.00), especially with both Maxwell and Marsh missing.
More often than not, England batters struggle when it comes to playing spin in the subcontinent, whatever the format and this World Cup has proven no different. With that in mind, Australia’s leg-spin bowler Adam Zampa will be eying up a lucrative return and can be backed to take 3+ wickets here (3.25), adding to his 16 already taken across the tournament.
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
Australia rightly comes into this one as hot favorites when taking into account their recent run of victories, compared to England’s losing streak. But the loss of both Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh does even things up somewhat, as the two possess significant firepower, and without them, they are increasingly reliant on their top four. Early England wickets, whether they are bowling first or second, could make things very interesting.
However, England’s bowlers struggled badly in their last match played at Narendra Modi Stadium, the opening game of the tournament, which saw them take just one wicket as New Zealand completed a comprehensive run chase of 283. That contest saw two of the Black Caps’ top three record hundreds, and with Australia facing their bitter rivals, David Warner is well-placed to play another fine innings, regardless of who eventually comes out on top.
TIP
DAVID WARNER TO SCORE 50+ RUNS (2.25)
