England vs Australia Prediction: Head to pile on misery

England just want to go home but first they have to fulfil their group games and there is none bigger than a match against Australia in Ahmedabad on Saturday morning (08:30). We've previewed this one and given you our betting predictions.

These two old rivals couldn't come into this match in more differing form and moods, with England (5/4) already eliminated, after four straight humiliating losses, leaving the defending champions at the bottom of the 10-team group.

Meanwhile, Australia (8/13) have turned round their fortunes and have won four straight matches to sit third in the table and with a great chance of making the semi-finals.

Of course, form can tend to go out of the window in games like this and Jos Buttler's side will be desperate to salvage some pride and fire a broadside at the Aussie's hopes of qualification.

Perhaps more importantly is qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy which is taking place in 2025, with only the top eight from this tournament making the grade. England have to start winning to have any chance of achieving that missing. If they fail it would be the first major trophy they have ever failed to qualify for.

Big questions are already being asked about England's future under Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott and there have been huge rumours of instability and disagreements within the squad - which were further bolstered by David Willey's retirement and complaint about the central contract announcements mid tournament.

Those repercussions are still to come but first they have to take on their oldest of enemies and try to take any positives at all they can, from such a disappointing and damaging tournament.

Team news

England will be tempted to rotate the pack again after four straight losses and that should mean a recall for Harry Brook for either the struggling Liam Livingstone or Moeen Ali, in an attempt to bolster the batting line-up.

England (probable): Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid

Australia have been rocked by the news that two of their all-rounders Mitch Marsh (personal reasons) and Glenn Maxwell (concussion) are unavailable for selection. Cameron Green and Marcus Stonis should be their direct replacements.

Australia (probable): David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazelwood, Adam Zampa

Travis Head to score a 50 - 6/5

Travis Head stepped off the plane in Dharamshala and pretty much strapped his pads on, to open the innings for Australia against New Zealand.

Perhaps the England batters should have tried a similar tactic, as the 29-year-old looked like he'd been in the middle for months, on his way to bludgeoning 109 off just 67 balls.

Head had been out of action for six weeks after breaking his hand but his arrival mid-tournament is a chilling sight for any other World Cup pretender.

With Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell out of action the Adelaide native couldn't have hit form at a better time and I expect him to go to town on England's openers.

Harry Brook top ENG run scorer - 11/2

One man who can feel particularly aggrieved by the England selectors scatter-gun selection policy is Harry Brook.

First he was left out of the original 15-man squad, then he was drafted in for Jason Roy and then after looking like one of the only England batters in form, he was dropped for a couple of out of form all-rounders.

The 24-year-old is the future of the England batting line up and I find it staggering he was dropped, after scoring 66 against Afghanistan and double figures in every other World Cup game.

Needless to say he should be back in here again, after England's latest disaster against India and I expect him to be mopping up the middle order after another top order collapse.

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