England openers look hard to keep quiet

Fourth ODI
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 2pm Thursday

Australia captain Tim Paine described Tuesday's 242-run defeat to England at Trent Bridge as "the hardest day's cricket I've ever had in my life" and the Aussies are back in the firing line for the fourth ODI in Durham.

Paine's pain contrasted with a glorious day for his opposite number Eoin Morgan, who became England's leading one-day runscorer while scoring their fastest ever ODI fifty in a record total of 481-6.

That colossal batting effort set up a crushing victory to give England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Even with the series won, England are sure to have their backers at 8-15 and they won't want to let their standards slip as they build up to next summer's 50-over World Cup on home turf.

With Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes still sidelined, Sam Curran and Craig Overton have joined the squad as England test the depth of their fast-bowling resources.

While some of the bowlers may appreciate a rest, England's batsmen will be desperate for another crack at Australia and Sky Bet's 10-11 about the hosts having a first-wicket stand of at least 30 is worth a bet.

The line is five runs higher with other bookmakers, and while the Riverside may not be quite as batsman-friendly as Trent Bridge, Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy are in formidable touch.

Bairstow, who scored a series-winning 83 not out at the venue against New Zealand in 2015, made his fourth century in six innings on Tuesday (and one of his 'failures' was a scintillating 42 off 24 balls in Cardiff).

Roy has responded to a second-ball duck in the first ODI with scores of 120 and 82 and the confident opening pair can ensure another fast start for the hosts.

Travis Head top-scored with 51 as Australia folded for 239 in Nottingham but the opener has failed to grab his opportunity in this series and should be opposed in bet365's match bet against Aaron Finch.

Head was dismissed for five and 19 in the first two games and, although Finch hasn't made much of an impact either (not helped by the uncertainty over his position in the batting order), his one-day pedigree is undeniable.

The burly Victorian has scored five centuries and four fifties in 22 ODI innings against England and he should be backed to come good in Durham.

Left-hander Head was one of seven Australians dismissed by spin at Trent Bridge, caught and bowled by Moeen Ali who looks overpriced to be England's top wicket-taker.

Moeen's last three One-Day Cup bowling returns for Worcestershire before this series were 4-33, 2-61 and 3-40 while he has claimed eight wickets in the first three ODIs.

Recommendations
England to have opening partnership of 30 or more runs
3pts 10-11 Sky Bet
A Finch to outscore T Head
2pts 4-5 bet365
M Ali top England wicket-taker
1pt 9-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

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