AU-W vs EN-W 2nd ODI Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s 2nd ODI Match Between Australia Women and England Women?

England Women to face Australia Women in 2nd ODI [Source: @englandcricket, @cricketcomau/X.com]

The three-match ODI series between Australia Women and England Women will resume on January 14 with the second ODI. The crucial matchup will take place at Junction Oval in Melbourne from 4.35 AM IST.

Australia Women

Australia Women dominated the series opener with a four-wicket comfortable victory. The bowling unit restricted England Women to 204, with Heather Knight being the leading scorer (39 off 48). Ashleigh Gardner picked up three wickets in 6.1 overs for just 19 runs. In the second inning, skipper Alyssa Healy stole the show with a gritty 70 off 78 balls. Gardner showcased her all-round abilities with 42 off 44 balls to steer the hosts to a commanding victory. Aussies have always been relentless in home conditions, and they are likely to dominate the second ODI as well.

England Women

England Women, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to Australian conditions, leading to an underwhelming show with the bat. Captain Knight, Dani Wyatt, and Amy Jones added 30-odd runs to the team total, but 204 was never going to be enough to stop the mighty Aussies. With the ball, the bowling unit failed to pick wickets, leading to Australia's easy victory. That being said, with the series on the lineup, the visiting team will have to come up with a better plan and workable strategy to outclass Australian women. A few changes to the playing XI cannot be ruled out.

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AU-W vs EN-W Head to head in ODIs

How will the Junction Oval pitch behave?

Melbourne's Junction Oval is set to host the 2nd ODI under bright and sunny skies. As for the pitch, it will offer more assistance to spinners than other Australian venues. Expect the ball to grip and turn as the game progresses, providing an advantage to slower bowlers in the middle overs. Batters will find it easier to score in the initial stages due to the even bounce and consistent pace. 

A par score here is around 260+, and any team batting first will aim to breach this mark for a competitive edge. Teams bowling first can exploit the morning freshness and restrict the opposition to a chaseable total. With the pitch likely to remain consistent throughout and favourable weather conditions, the team winning the toss is expected to bowl first to capitalise on any early movement and plan the chase under steady conditions.

Players to watch out for in AU-W vs EN-W 2nd ODI

Australia Women

Alyssa Healy: The captain dominated the first ODI with a half-century and played a key role in the 205-run chase. Hence, Healy is expected to anchor the batting lineup in the second ODI as well.

Ellyse Perry: One of the greatest women cricketers of this generation, Ellyse Perry's all-round skills will be crucial for Australia. While the first game was underwhelming, Perry's threat cannot be undermined at any stage.

Ashleigh Gardner: She outsmarted England with both bat and ball. Her finishing skills, along with the ability to get breakthroughs, make her a crucial player to watch out for in the second ODI.

Megan Schutt: Megan Schutt is an excellent pace bowler with ability to snap wickets with the new ball. While she went wicketless in the first game, the pitch for the second ODI will suit her more.

England Women

Heather Knight: The captain ended up being England's highest run-scorer in the first ODI with 39 runs. At no.3, Knight can anchor the inning and play deep to ensure a good total.

Nat Sciver-Brunt: The prolific all-rounder has always been a trump card for England Women. It's important for her to fire in both departments to challenge the Australia Women.

Sophie Ecclestone: Renowned for her accuracy, control, and ability to turn the ball sharply, she has been a nightmare for batters worldwide. Her variations make her especially dangerous in limited-overs cricket.

Tammy Beaumont: Beaumont has been a dependable opener and adjusts her game to suit the format. Her ability to rotate strikes and find boundaries in the powerplay has been instrumental in England's successes.

Today's Match Prediction: AU-W vs EN-W 2nd ODI

Predicted Top Performers

Australia Women – Alyssa Healy, Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry

England Women – Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight

AU-W vs EN-W 2nd ODI: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 270-280

Predicted second innings score: 280-290

Predicted Result: The team batting second will likely have the upper hand in this match.

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