PLUNKETT REVENGE MISSION
Liam fights for England pride after Ashes flop
LIAM PLUNKETT insists England’s one-day side will not be intimidated by the Test team’s thumping.
Joe Root’s men surrendered the Ashes after a 4-0 hammering and England are out to restore some of their battered pride in the five-match 50-over series, which starts in Melbourne tomorrow.
Root, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes might be suffering from an Ashes hangover, but Plunkett says there are enough new faces to make sure that England are not on the back foot from the off.
Pace
Alex Hales (52) and captain Eoin Morgan (81no) were in fine form in Thursday’s warm-up win over a Cricket Australia XI, while Plunkett and Mark Wood produced the sort of pace that was absent from the Test attack.
Plunkett took two wickets in his nine overs, including CA skipper Matt Renshaw with only his third delivery on tour, and he has no intention of taking a backward step tomorrow.
“Australia are a good team and they’re confident from the Ashes but it is a different unit here,” he said.
“A lot of our guys didn’t play in the Ashes series, so we are full of energy and full of beans.
“Some of the guys have been out here playing in the Big Bash and other lads have been all over the world playing, so ® we are full of confidence and looking forward to that first game.
“It’s a massive challenge against one of the best teams in the world and we’re looking forward to doing battle with them and trying to take this series.
“It’s always a test when you come to somebody else’s backyard. To get a win out here is pretty big.”
England had a day off training yesterday and will be hoping the rain holds off today so they can have a full practice session.
Root is expected to play a full part in the session ahead of playing tomorrow after finally shaking off the effects of viral gastroenteritis.
And with Jonny Bairstow guaranteed one of the opening slots, former partners Jason Roy and Alex Hales are going head to head for the other.
They made 40 and 52 respectively against CA, leaving Hales hoping his slightly larger contribution is enough to earn him a first international outing since his involvement in the infamous late-night incident with Ben Stokes in Bristol last September.
Australia have indicated they intend to rotate their fast bowlers. Josh Hazlewood will be left out tomorrow, Pat Cummins will miss the second game in Brisbane and Mitchell Starc is also scheduled for a rest at some point.
David Warner missed training yesterday with the same stomach bug that hit Root, but should be fit to play.