Australia eye series win in flood-ravaged Brisbane

Local hero: Shane Watson © Getty Images

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The Big Picture
England won quite convincingly in Adelaide on Wednesday but their quest over the final three games remains the same. The tourists must succeed in every match to avoid losing the contest, while Australia have the luxury of having some off nights after earning a 3-1 lead. The hosts were below their best in Adelaide with bat and ball, but always enjoy returning to their Gabba fortress.

Brisbane is currently a city under-going a big clean-up after devastating floods a fortnight ago. The fifth ODI will be a major fund-raiser for victims and will support the Queensland premier's appeal. The Gabba was not affected by the destruction and the curator was ready to host a game just three days after the Brisbane River peaked.

England have only a week to go before they head home for a very short break ahead of the World Cup. Australia's itinerary is a lot more relaxed and the players are looking and operating like the favourites to claim the trophy.

Form guide(completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LWWWW
England WLLLW

Watch out for...
This part of Australia is Shane Watson territory and he has visited a couple of times over the past two weeks to inspect the flood damage and raise spirits. He grew up in Ipswich and played for Queensland, but has not had any real international success at the ground that was his home before he switched to New South Wales. While he has been Australia's form player of the summer and scored 161 in the first ODI, the locals would love him to do something special on Sunday.

Chris Tremlett has been one of England's stars on this trip and can't believe what is happening to him. First there was a place on the Ashes tour, then a key role, opening the bowling in the one-day side, and being elevated to an ECB contract. "All these surprises keep happening and sometimes I still pinch myself," he said. He has taken six wickets in the past four games and should be a big threat on the Gabba pitch, which offers pace and seam.

Team news
Shaun Tait (thigh) and Mitchell Johnson (throat infection) are improving and give Australia some pace options on what will be a lively wicket. Johnson should come in on his old home ground as he looks to re-find form ahead of next month's World Cup.

Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Cameron White, 6 David Hussey, 7 Steve Smith, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Doug Bollinger.

England's main problem is whether to pick another specialist fast bowler. They went with only three in Adelaide, but Brisbane is a different prospect and the extra speed is vital. That leaves Paul Collingwood and Michael Yardy in vulnerable positions, while the chances of Chris Woakes or Luke Wright being recalled have increased.

England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Matt Prior (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Paul Collingwood, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Ajmal Shahzad, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 James Anderson.

Stats and trivia

- The only international team with a better winning percentage at the Gabba than Australia's 56.66% is West Indies' 76.19%. England sit fourth on 53.84% after seven wins in 13 appearances.

- Australia's only loss in five games against England here came in 1998-99, when Alan Mullally's 4 for 18 helped dismiss the hosts for 145.

- David Gower holds the highest score at the ground with 158 off 118 balls, with 18 fours and four sixes, against New Zealand in 1982-83.

Quotes
"It's going to be a very emotional day and hopefully that can help pull us over the line and win the series."
Shane Watson

"We played pretty well the other night in Adelaide and we've got some momentum back from that performance. Hopefully we can take it from there, try to do what Australia did and win three games in a row."