CWC23: England put Australia to bat first in must-win clash

England will field first after captain Jos Buttler won the toss ahead of their clash with Australia in ODI 36 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday (Nov. 04).

Australia have turned to Cameron Green and Marcus Stonis to replace in-form duo Glenn Maxwell and Mitch Marsh for the clash with rivals England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

England have stuck with the same XI that fell to a disappointing loss against India last start ahead of the first of three must-win matches for the defending champions if they are to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The titleholders enter the encounter sitting in last-place in the standings after five defeats in six matches that have left them all but out of contention for a spot in the knockout stages.

England have to win all of their three remaining matches in a manner that significantly boosts their net run rate, while also hoping other results go their way.

Australia have overcome a slow start to the tournament to win four consecutive matches and can put one foot in the knockout stages with a triumph over England that would also end their arch-rivals’ campaign.

But the five-time champions will take on the old enemy without Maxwell after he sustained a concussion in a golf cart incident, while Marsh has returned home for personal reasons.

England Playing XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Australia Playing XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Marcus Stonis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

--ICC