England and Australia meet in a five-match one-day international series starting at Hampshire’s Rose Bowl ground on Tuesday, knowing their every move will be scrutinised for its Ashes relevance.
For England, who will defend the Ashes in Australia starting in November, this series allows them the chance to complete a notable treble over their oldest cricket rivals.
Having won last year’s Test series in England, they beat Australia in last month’s World Twenty20 final in Barbados to claim their first major global limited overs trophy. Victory in the one-day series would give England bragging rights over Australia in all three international formats.
England captain Andrew Strauss and Australia counterpart Ricky Ponting will both be back in charge after each missed the World Twenty20 because they have each opted out of the format.
Meanwhile Australia have arrived in England without several injured quicks in Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Brett Lee and Ben Hilfenhaus. First-choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is also sidelined, with Tim Paine now behind the stumps. — AFP