Australia vs England 1st ODI predictions: Buttler could lead the way

- England beat Pakistan in Sunday's T20 World Cup
- Both teams switch format to 50-over cricket
- Recommended bet: Jos Buttler to be England's top batsman

England confirmed themselves as kings of white-ball cricket last Sunday, defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

That triumph means they have become the first men's team to simultaneously hold both the T20 and one-day international World Cup titles at the same time and they must now turn their attention to the 50-over format as they face Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting on Thursday.

It feels like a quick turnaround but will act as key preparation for next year's ODI World Cup in India in October and November.

Team news

Australia are set to be without Glenn Maxwell, who broke his leg in a freak accident and will be replaced by Sean Abbott in an otherwise full-strength squad. Aaron Finch has retired and been replaced in the squad by Travis Head, with Pat Cummins taking up the captaincy.

Jason Roy has been recalled for England after having been dropped for the T20 World Cup due to poor form. 

Mark Wood, Harry Brook, Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone and Tymal Mills will not feature, while Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket back in July.

Sam Billings, Olly Stone and James Vince have, however, been drafted into the 15-man squad.

Stats

England have managed only one win in their last four ODIs.

Australia won their most recent series in the format 3-0 against New Zealand back in September.

Since July 2021, Mitchell Starc has taken 22 wickets in nine ODI matches for Australia.

Prediction

Given England's dominance in white-ball cricket right now, they would ordinarily be an obvious choice to win this opening ODI against Australia.

But only days have passed since they celebrated winning the T20 World Cup and they may not be at their sharpest in Adelaide.

Australia looked good in their most recent ODI series against New Zealand a couple of months ago but their early exit in a home World Cup cannot be ignored and there feels little value in backing them, despite being 8/13 with LiveScore Bet.

However, while the match result market is worth swerving, there are a couple of player bets to consider.

Starc, for example, looks a decent selection to be Australia's top bowler at 10/3 with LiveScore Bet.

The paceman's tally of 22 wickets in nine ODIs since last July is solid and he impressed at this venue in the Ashes last year, taking six wickets against England, four of which came in the first innings, in the second Test.

As for England, a number of their World Cup stars may struggle to perform so quickly after the final with Pakistan but Jos Buttler is the kind of captain to lead by example and represents value to be his side's top batsman at 4/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Only last week, Buttler smashed an unbeaten 80 at the Adelaide Oval in England's 10-wicket thrashing of India and he can cause problems in the ODI format lower down the order as well.