Match Preview: Australia vs England, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 36th Match

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 presents a high-stakes face-off: England versus Australia. With Australia's resurgent form positioning them for the semi-finals and England grappling with a slim chance of advancement, the clash at Ahmedabad's magnificent venue is more than a mere group-stage match. It’s a critical juncture where England could disrupt Australia's ascent, injecting unexpected turmoil into the semi-final mix.

Venue Insights

The prominent Narendra Modi Stadium stands ready to host the high-stakes cricketing duel. Its pitches, known for their batter-friendly nature, usually offer a solid platform for high-scoring affairs. But as is customary, the bowlers, particularly seamers, might extract early benefits from the surface, providing a window of challenge for openers. The venue's history suggests a balance, setting the stage for an engrossing encounter.

Australia Form Guide: WWWLW

Australia's recent form in ODIs is formidable, with a track record of four wins in their last five matches. The streak indicates a strong resurgence after an initial slump at the beginning of the World Cup, marked by losses to South Africa and India. The team, led by Pat Cummins, has shown resilience and adaptability in bouncing back to a commanding position in the tournament. However, the team faces disruptions with Glenn Maxwell's absence due to an injury sustained in a golf incident, and Mitchell Marsh's departure to Perth for family reasons.

These events present challenges to the batting lineup, although the presence of David Warner and Travis Head, both prolific run-scorers, somewhat mitigates the concern. Their performance in the powerplay will be critical for setting up Australia's games ahead. Looking forward, Australia's path to the semi-finals is not without obstacles. A potentially pivotal clash with Afghanistan looms, and a surging Pakistan team poses a threat to their top-four standing. The outcome of Pakistan's match with New Zealand will also be significant for Australia's position moving forward.

England Form Guide: LLLLW

England's recent ODI outings reflect a period of struggle, with four losses in their last five games. As the reigning World Champions, the team's form has been disappointing, especially in contrast to their more successful red-ball campaign earlier in the summer. Ben Stokes' frank assessment of the team being 'crap' encapsulates England's woes in the World Cup so far. The team's chances of progressing in the tournament are hanging by a thread, with only a fractional mathematical chance of making it to the knockouts. Despite the odds, the stakes remain high for England, as their final standing in the group stage will influence their qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

England's squad faces scrutiny and pressure, not least because of David Willey's imminent retirement from international cricket. The match against Australia presents an opportunity for England to reclaim some of their lost prestige and derail Australia's smoother progression in the tournament. A victory against their arch-rivals could also serve as a bittersweet reminder of England's potential, despite a campaign that has largely gone awry.

Players to Watch

Joe Root (England)

Joe Root’s form in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has been a topic of concern for England. Once known for his consistent run-scoring and his dilemma of not converting fifties into hundreds, Root’s current form reflects a more pressing issue - his struggle to perform even in the powerplay. In the span of 16 ODIs since the start of 2022, his figures have been alarming for a player of his stature, with eight dismissals in the powerplay accumulating just 33 runs from 72 balls.