England will aim to end an extraordinary season overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic with a win against Australia as their arch-rivals ...
England will aim to end an extraordinary season overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic with a win against Australia as their arch-rivals wait on the fitness of Steve Smith.
Victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday would see 50-over world champions England take the three-match one-day international campaign 2-1.
It would also mean they had not lost a series in any format across 18 matches this summer.
All those fixtures have been played behind closed doors, with England players holed up in bio-secure bubbles in Manchester and Southampton for the best part of three months.
“When you play Australia you always want to win and there is always enough on the line, but it would be really good for us to finish this summer on a high,” said England new-ball bowler Chris Woakes, who acknowledged bubble life has had its “tough times”.
Australia will hope to have Smith available. The star batsman missed the first two ODIS after being hit on the head during practice last Thursday.
Team management have repeatedly said Smith, felled by a 92 mph bouncer from England fast bowler Jofra Archer during last year’s drawn Ashes Test at Lord’s, has been rested as a precaution despite passing two concussion tests.
‘Tracking in the right direction’
Australia coach Justin Langer, speaking before Smith batted in...
