Plunkett given chance to earn England World Cup spot
Published:Liam Plunkett may still have time to play himself into England’s World Cup squad after being flown half-way round the world to feature in the last one-day international with Australia.
England are in desperate need of inspiration after falling 4-1 down in the seven-game series and are the 1/1 outsiders in the cricket betting to win the sixth match at Sydney’s SCG on Wednesday.
However, they will have to star without many of their first choice bowling attack, as Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan were recently joined on the injured list by Chris Tremlett and Ajmal Shahzad.
Tremlett missed the fifth one-day game with a side strain, while Shahzad pulled up with a hamstring problem mid-way through one of his overs.
This has led to Plunkett moving from the England Lions squad in the Caribbean, but it is doubtful that he will make it in time to play at the SCG.
The World Cup starts on February 19th and although England have already named a 15-man squad, some changes may need to be made to cover for any injuries.
Chris Woakes only made his international debut for England earlier in the tour, but has impressed in spells with both bat and ball and seems the logical call-up should one of the squad members not recover in time to travel to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
However, Plunkett could state his case in the final game at Perth.
England will have to field Woakes, James Anderson and Steven Finn as their pace bowlers in the sixth test, while Paul Collingwood, Luke Wright and Michael Yardy could chip in with some overs.
Australia are 4/5 in the cricket betting to beat England in the sixth one-day clash, while both are priced at 5/1 to secure World Cup victory.
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