England vs Australia 1st ODI predictions: Brook back to lead Three Lions to opening win
- England have won three of their last five ODIs
- Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith return for the hosts
- Recommended bet: England to win
A busy cricketing summer finishes with England playing their first one-day internationals of the year with a five-match series against Australia getting under way on Thursday.
The old rivals are fresh from clashing in a three-match T20 series, which was on a knife-edge heading into the final match at Old Trafford on Sunday.
But a washout in Manchester meant that series finished 1-1, so there will be added motivation going into this ODI tussle.
Both teams have made several changes to their white-ball squads and the opening match of the series at Trent Bridge should be competitive.
Team news
Harry Brook will captain the team in the absence of Jos Buttler, while Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith also come into the England team after missing the T20 series with Australia.
Saqib Mahmood is also in the squad for England but Josh Hull has withdrawn with a quad injury.
The tourists, meanwhile, will welcome back Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell.
In the bowling department, though, the Aussies are set to be without Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Xavier Bartlett.
The stats
England have won three of their last five ODIs, beating West Indies, Pakistan and the Netherlands as part of that run.
Australia were crowned ODI world champions in India last November.
Harry Brook scored a total of 115 runs across three ODI encounters with the West Indies in December last year.
Adam Zampa took 23 wickets in last year's ODI World Cup and Thursday's match will be his 100th appearance for Australia in the format.
Prediction
England and Australia's one-day international teams finished 2023 in contrasting circumstances.
While the Aussies were celebrating winning the ODI World Cup, England were reflecting on a 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies in December.
That was the last time England played in the format but a lot has changed since with the emphasis having been on the T20 side this year.
The T20 series between England and Australia finished level but England were in the ascendancy following a three-wicket win in the second match.
And they should be even stronger in the ODIs with Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith all coming into the team.
Australia can also call on some big-hitters thanks to the returns of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell.
But the bowling department looks surprisingly weak due to injuries and that is the area in which England could have the upper hand.
Jofra Archer is always a danger as is Reece Topley while the late addition of Saqib Mahmood could also make a difference.
There is not a lot between these sides and England look overpriced to take a lead in the series.
