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No Smith again, Aust to bowl first in ODI

3 minute read

Australia's Steve Smith misses out again as England captain Eoin Morgan opted to bat first after winning the toss in the third and final ODI in Manchester.

STEVE SMITH.
STEVE SMITH. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Australia will take an unchanged XI into Wednesday's deciding one-day international against England with Steve Smith still not fit enough to play as the tourists look to wrap up the three-match series at Old Trafford.

England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and opted to bat in sunny conditions on a fresh pitch in Manchester.

The Aussies are aiming to end a five-year wait for an ODI series win over England, eager to prevent another batting collapse that cost them victory in game two.

Australia won game one by 19 runs with the hosts victorious by 24 runs on Sunday.

Star batsman Smith will sit out a third successive match as he recovers from being struck on the side of the helmet by a throw down at training last Thursday.

The 31-year-old passed a second concussion test on Saturday and spent some time in the nets on the eve of the deciding ODI but Australia continue to take a cautious approach given Smith's history with head knocks.

"He had a good long hit yesterday and hust didn't pull up that well," captain Aaron Finch said as he confirmed Australia's XI.

"He was a little bit groggy and wasn't 100 per cent."

Marcus Stoinis was retained in Smith's No.3 spot while there is pressure on the middle order to prevent another collapse after implosions during the tour-opening Twenty20 matches and again on Sunday.

Glenn Maxwell believes the new wicket should have fewer demons than the one that which the Australians faltered on three days ago.

England have made one change as they look to avoid their first ODI series loss at home since 2015.

Fast bowler Mark Wood returns, after missing out on game two with a sore foot, in place of Sam Curran.

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Marcus Stoinis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

England XI: Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Billings, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

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