England need quick response after Beardman shock

On Friday, Pat Cummins spoke to the media in Sydney for 68 minutes. Over in Perth, it took Mahli Beardman just 37 minutes to dismantle England with the fastest five-for for Australia in ODIs, that too on debut. It was a timely performance by one of the next generation of stars and, for a while at least, provided a distraction from the controversy that is still threatening to engulf the game.

For England, it was another dismal day at Optus Stadium, which brought back memories of their collapse on the second day of the Ashes Test just over a year ago. Not for the first time, a visiting side struggled to adapt to the bounce on offer: eight of England's batters were caught from the keeper to backward point, with Jack Edwards showing his safe hands in the latter position.

There would be no fightback from England, though, as Mitchell Marsh put his difficult pre-series press conference behind him with another thumping fifty at the top of the order. Marsh has struck at less than 128 in just one of his last seven ODI innings.

The series now moves to Adelaide with England looking a long way short of challenging Australia and needing to find a way to take the series to a decider in Hobart on Wednesday.

Beardman took the headlines in Perth, but Spencer Johnson also did his part. He started England's slide by removing Ben Duckett and made life difficult for the others as Beardman did the major damage. The 3 for 42 were his best figures of a short ODI career as he looks to establish himself among the first-choice reserves when the big guns are all available. On Sunday, he'll have the chance to shine on his state home ground unless the selectors opt to rest him with the tight turnaround.

Earlier this year, Joe Root enjoyed a prolific run in ODIs where he made 496 runs across six innings including four consecutive unbeaten scores. That sort of success was always going to be tough to maintain and his last seven innings have brought 201 runs 28.71. It's hardly a crisis, but England could do with their most experienced player (he reached 200 ODIs in Perth) being at his best in Adelaide. His overall ODI average against Australia of 27.85 is, by a long way, his lowest against any team he has batted against more than three times.

Unless there is some rotation among the quicks there would seem little reason for Australia to change. Cameron Green didn't bowl in the opening match. Tasmania quick Riley Meredith has been added to the squad in a "pre-planned" decision and isn't replacing anyone. Alex Carey, Ollie Peake and allrounder Liam Scott are the other players in the squad.

Australia (possible): 1 Travis Head, 2 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Matt Renshaw, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Jack Edwards, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Spencer Johnson, 10 Mahli Beardman, 11 Adam Zampa

England's main decision would again appear whether they can find room for Adil Rashid, although given the thrashing in Perth they may consider mixing things up a little. But with Jacob Bethell having gone home, the other batting option is uncapped allrounder James Coles.

England (possible): 1 Ben Duckett, 2 Tom Banton, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jordan Cox (wk), 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Liam Dawson/Adil Rashid, 10 Gus Atkinson, 11 Jofra Archer

Pitch and conditions: Chance of a shower

There is a chance of a shower on what is forecast to be a reasonably cool day with the evening session, especially, having a chill in the air. Pitches at Adelaide Oval are usually excellent.

Stats and trivia

Quotes

"To be honest, just loving that I'm back playing cricket and being able to bowl again, trying to soak that up and enjoy it as much as possible."
Mahli Beardman isn't looking too far ahead

"We probably didn't execute as well as we could have done. But the Australian attack, they put the ball in the right areas for a long period of time and asked us a lot of questions."
Harry Brook on the first ODI