Australia Look To Go For The Kill

England has undone a lot of good work achieved over the summer in this ODI series, and will be looking to rebound at the SCG.

The hosts head into the third clash of the series already 2-0 up, and will be looking to dominate and carry through their momentum in the shorter formats into next month’s World Cup.

But despite the sudden reversal in fortunes from a horrendous summer, Australia remains in a fragile state.

The alarming number of players who are pulling up with injuries has thrown into doubt the wisdom of scheduling such an intensive bout after an Ashes series, and only weeks ahead of the ICC World Cup.

Australia has been badly affected, losing key players who may now struggle to make it to the finals, while England are starting to look jaded after a monstrously long summer tour.

Nathan Hauritz was taken to hospital for x-rays on the shoulder he hurt while fielding, and will have further scans today.

Shaun Tait picked up a thigh strain this week, while Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting are recovering from serious injury woes.

England’s main concern right now is the slipping in form that they had worked so hard to achieve all summer.

It has been two weeks since Strauss and his team got their hands on the urn, and one senses that the hangover period of the Test series certainly needs to end.

Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Michael Clarke (capt), 4 Cameron White, 5 David Hussey, 6 Shaun Marsh, 7 Steven Smith, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Xavier Doherty, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Doug Bollinger.

England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Matt Prior (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Michael Yardy, 8 Luke Wright, 9 Chris Woakes, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 Ajmal Shahzad.

Despite the list of walking wounded there is still talent in these two sides.

Haddin is beginning to feel the pressure with his ODI form being somewhat of concern. Haddin missed three stumpings in the first ODI, and has only registered scores of 39 and 5 as an opener in the series.

Shaun Marsh was a one man batting line up in Hobart, and will look to once again show the selectors of his capabilities at the SCG. With Hussey still in a race to recover prior to next month’s showdown, this could be his opportunity to impress.

For England, Ian Bell will look to finally carry through his season form higher up in the order. Bell is England's most classically correct batsman, and could very well find himself replacing Matt Prior in the opening slot.

The home side is favourites here at odds-on, with England slightly over the 2.0 range on the back of their current dip in form.

Once again Strauss and Pietersen are favoured to score for England; however Bell will be using his possible move up the order to show his ability and is certainly worth a punt.