ICC World Cup 2023, ENG vs AUS| Five Player Battles to Watch Out For

image-loip2rghEngland will take on Australia in Ahmedabad. (AP)

The ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup has been nothing short of a catastrophe for England, with just one win from six matches. However, amidst their downward spiral, they have a chance to recapture some pride as they face their age-old rivals, Australia, in Ahmedabad this Saturday.

The Three Lions have crumbled, managing a lone victory over Bangladesh and suffering substantial defeats in all other games. This woeful performance leaves them languishing at the bottom of the points table, with even the Netherlands boasting more wins. England finds itself in a bewildering predicament, having clinched the 50-over trophy just four years ago and securing the T20 World Cup last year. Despite earlier injury setbacks, there are no fresh injury concerns for England as they approach their next challenge.

Australia's World Cup journey has followed a different trajectory. Initially, they stuttered with losses to India and South Africa. However, they have since bounced back, winning four consecutive games, including an astounding 309-run triumph over the Netherlands. Their latest victory against New Zealand would have undoubtedly instilled immense confidence. In the lead-up to this clash, Australia faces the unavailability of Mitchell Marsh due to personal reasons and the unfortunate incident of Glenn Maxwell's injury while playing golf. Nevertheless, the Aussie squad is brimming with capable replacements, poised to uphold the team's reputation.

Despite Australia's formidable form, when England faces their Ashes rivals, an extra layer of motivation emerges, transcending the format of the match. The England-Australia rivalry brings to the fore numerous player duels that never fail to captivate cricket enthusiasts, and these rivalries are set to light up the grand stage of the biggest cricket stadium.

Dawid Malan vs Josh Hazlewood

image-loip6mqaDawid Malan. (AP)

Dawid Malan stands as one of the few English batsmen who have delivered noteworthy performances in the ongoing tournament. With 236 runs across six matches, including a century, Malan possesses the ability to play long innings and aims to post a significant score against the Australians. To thwart his efforts, Australia will turn to Josh Hazlewood. Known for his relentless discipline in maintaining line and length, Hazlewood presents a formidable challenge. His mission is clear – disrupt Malan's rhythm. Notably, Malan has previously fallen to Hazlewood's prowess in the ODI format.

Adil Rashid vs Marnus Labuschagne

Adil Rashid plays a pivotal role for England, capable of delivering crucial breakthroughs when the team needs them. With eight wickets in six matches, Rashid's face-off with Marnus Labuschagne will be a sight to behold. In recent weeks, Labuschagne has emerged as one of Australia's most reliable middle-order batsmen alongside vice-captain Steve Smith. A master of building and anchoring an innings, Labuschagne can adjust the tempo as required. Rashid's craftiness can potentially outwit the opposition. How he outfoxes Labuschagne will be a fascinating aspect of the encounter.

David Warner vs Chris Woakes

image-loip92ocDavid Warner. (AP)

This is a classic rivalry that has spanned many years. Even in the last World Cup four years ago, these two stalwarts faced each other in the semi-final, with Chris Woakes gaining the upper hand over the in-form David Warner. In the present, circumstances have evolved. While it's not a semi-final clash, Warner remains in impeccable form. Fortunately for Woakes, he also rediscovered his rhythm against India. Woakes has previously troubled Warner, possessing the tools to challenge him once more. As Warner remains unstoppable for opposing bowlers, this showdown will be a defining moment for the game.

Adam Zampa vs Jos Buttler

image-loip9vnpJos Buttler. (AP)

After a sluggish start to the tournament, Adam Zampa has regained his form, contributing crucial wickets in all of Australia's four wins. Undoubtedly, Zampa stands as one of the premier ODI spinners in recent years, known for consistently snaring wickets, often big ones. In this fixture, he sets his sights on dismissing the opposition's skipper, Jos Buttler. With a stellar record against Buttler in ODI cricket, Zampa has dismissed him on four occasions. Although Buttler is among England's top players of spin, he has struggled against Zampa. The clash between these two dynamic talents will define the early stages of the game.

Travis Head vs Mark Wood

image-loipay5bMark Wood. (AP)

Travis Head made an explosive return to the Australian side, accumulating 109 runs from 67 deliveries in his first outing in the tournament. He is set to play a pivotal role for Australia on a favourable batting surface. Head, with no glaring weaknesses against fast bowlers, poses a significant challenge. However, in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, he appeared vulnerable against short deliveries. Mark Wood, known for his pace, will be tasked with dismissing Head early, as the latter can inflict significant damage on England if allowed to settle.