Losers to Australia, England and India battle in ODI Tri Series

England (6/1 title chances) and India (5/2), who both lost to hosts Australia (8/15) in their opening ODI Tri Series matches now face off against each other in a match, with the loser likely to finish bottom of the group.

The touring duo did manage to have a player each hit a hundred against the Aussies, though, with Eoin Morgan (121 from 136 balls) and opener Rohit Sharma (138 from 139) gaining centuries.

New England captain Morgan is a tempting 9/2 chance with Coral to top score for his side again, while Sharma is 11/4 to do so for India.

Joe Root spoke after his side’s defeat to Australia, which followed their 5-0 thrashing at the last Ashes and the ODI 4-1 defeat to them last year.

Responding to Yorkshire teammate Mitchell Starc’s hopes that the loss “reopened a few scars”, Root, who is the favourite to top score for England at 7/2, said: “We’ve got a completely different make-up to our side now so it’s not really fair to say that.”

“Their job is to try and make it as uncomfortable for us as possible, and if he feels that’s the way they want to do that then fine.”

Another Yorkshire player Gary Ballance has been ruled out of this game with India, due to fracturing his right little finger, but should be fit to face the Aussies in the opening World Cup game on February 14th.

That means James Taylor, who has impressed in the last few innings for England but was out for a duck last time out, can step up in Zimbabwe-born Ballance’s absence again, and he is 9/2 to be best batsman for his side.

Other decent shouts in the same market include Ian Bell (4/1), who recently hit the highest total for an Englishman in limited overs, Moeen Ali (also 4/1) and rising star wicket keeper Jos Buttler (10/1).