England set up confidence boosting Tri Series final with Aussies

No matter what, England (7/4 title chances) have done themselves proud in this ODI Tri Series mini tournament ahead of the World Cup Down Under, as they beat India in both battles and came close against Australia in the second encounter against them.

James Taylor’s knock of 88 helped England overcome the Indians, who managed a total of just 200 all out, and the diminutive batsman is a 4/1 chance to top score for the visitors once more.

He was ably assisted by rising star wicket keeper Jos Buttler (10/1 in the same market), who smashed 67 off 78 balls, before Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad finished the game off.

But England will be looking to Ian Bell, who is the top scorer at this tournament so far, with 239 runs from four innings, at an average of 79.66. He is 11/4 to be best batsman for his team, or is a more enticing 17/2 shout to do that as well as steer Peter Moores’ men to victory, which would be their first Tri Series triumph since 2007.

Following England’s three-wicket win over India, captain Eoin Morgan (5/1) said: “I always had a lot of confidence that if guys got themselves in, they’d take responsibility and Jos and James showed how ruthless they could be tonight.

“I think there’s a lot more to come from Jos. In the nets we get to see his full range of strokes and his repertoire.

“We’ve got a great opportunity now on Sunday against Australia. We’re going from strength to strength as a team and we’re building little blocks that will hopefully build our confidence.”

With the ball, meanwhile, Steven Finn continued to impress by taking figures of 3-36 against India, and he is 3/1 to be best England bowler once more.

But odds-on 4/9 favourites Australia will go all-out-attack again, and can count on the likes of Steven Smith, who is in deadly form of late, David Warner and Yorkshire’s Aaron Finch. The trio have all managed more than 140 runs this tournament, and are respective 10/3, 11/4 and 7/2 chances to be best batsman for their nation.