England vs Australia First ODI Tips - Poms could surprise the visitors

Traditional rivals England and Australia continue their summer with a five-match ODI series starting on Thursday. The first match will be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, with the match starting at 5pm IST.

There is a wind of change in the English camp as they get ready for life under Brendon McCullum, who is now in charge of the white-ball teams as well. England have been perennial underachievers in this format, while Australia continues to be at the top with their consistent displays. That said, I am backing this match to produce a surprise and putting my money on England winning.

• England won 8 of their last 11 home matches against Australia (ODIs)
• England won their last 4 completed matches at home (ODIs)
• England won 4 of their last 6 completed matches at this venue (ODIs)
• Australia lost their previous match at this venue against England (ODIs)

England and Australia have played each other in 156 ODIs so far, with England winning 88, losing 63, two matches tied, and three ending without any result.

The last time these sides played was in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, when Australia won by 33 runs.

It might surprise a few, but England last played a match in this format nine months ago. They were beaten 2-1 by the West Indies after crashing out of the ODI World Cup.

There is so much to look forward to here, though, as there have been as many as nine changes to the 16-man squad that played against the Windies. Harry Brook will get his first taste as England captain after Jos Buttler withdrew due to injury.

The teams played out a three-match T20I series prior to this, which ended 1-1 after the final match was washed out.

World Champions Australia are in the UK for some time now, having played Scotland in a T20I series before taking on England in the shortest format.

The last time they played ODIs was against the Windies at home, and they are on a 12-match winning streak coming into this series. It could be threatened by the spate of injuries that have been plaguing the visitors.

Pat Cummins is rested for the tour, while the quantum of injuries to bowlers has been so high that they were forced to call Under-19 World Cup player Mahli Beardman into the squad.