Aussies in rankings low before crucial ODI

Australia have arrived in Nottingham where they will look to keep alive their five-match one-day series against England with a victory at Trent Bridge.

Shaun Marsh.

Shaun Marsh did his part in Cardiff with 131 but he knows Australia have plenty of work to do. (AAP)

Australia have arrived in Nottingham at one of the lowest points in their ODI history as they desperately try to keep their series against England alive at Trent Bridge.

Tim Paine's side trail the world's top-ranked team 2-0, having lost 4-1 when the sides met in Australia earlier this year.

And the news didn't get any better for the Australians when the latest ICC one-day international rankings were released on Sunday.

A year out from the World Cup in England and Wales, the reigning champions have slumped to sixth, their lowest ranking in 34 years.

Australia have been overtaken by Pakistan's Champions Trophy-winning side, who have replaced them in fifth.

Justin Langer's first squad was always going to be up against it in the five-match series without its two best batsmen in Steve Smith and David Warner.

Star quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are also sidelined through injury leaving an inexperienced bowling attack tasked with trying to stifle an aggressive batting line-up.

AJ Tye, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson were pummelled by an aggressive England batting line-up at Cardiff on Saturday, as the hosts scored 8-342 - their highest total against Australia.

Shaun Marsh's magnificent 131 was the highlight for the tourists but it wasn't enough to prevent a 34-run defeat.

Marsh maintains team spirit is good but improvements have to be made to avoid a first-ever whitewash by England in a series of at least five matches.

"We felt like we were in the game right until the end, unfortunately we just weren't good enough," Marsh said.

"We probably lost wickets at key times in our innings again and we couldn't really build big partnerships at the start. We'll have to be better in a few days' time.

"We know we need to improve a fair bit to get that win. We're heading in the right direction but we still need lots of improvement."

Giant quick Billy Stanlake is facing a race against time to be fit after losing a toe nail on his landing foot after an encouraging display at The Oval.

Exciting young wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey could also come into the side with Travis Head potentially the man to miss out after a pair of low scores in London and Cardiff.


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Source: AAP



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