England gunning for more success over Australia

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MoeenAli - cropped

England will begin their bid for a maiden format clean sweep against Australia when they face the world champions in the first one-day international at Southampton on Thursday night.

Eoin Morgan's side head to the Ageas Bowl having triumphed by five runs in the sole Twenty20 international at Cardiff on Monday, with many of the squad who helped the hosts to a 3-2 Ashes victory still in tow.

Since England and Australia met in T20 for the first time at the south-coast venue in 2005, the rivals have played all three international formats as part of Ashes tours.

Australia followed their Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 with resounding victories in the both of the shorter forms, a feat England will hope to match following a dramatic upturn in their ODI form.

Before Michael Clarke led Australia to World Cup glory on home soil, England crashed out ignominiously at the group stage.

They bounced back impressively under Morgan's stewardship earlier this year to claim a stirring 3-2 series triumph over beaten World Cup finalists New Zealand, underpinned by an unprecedented run of scores in excess of 300.

Having taken a month-long break from all cricket, Morgan returned in sparkling form against Australia at the SWALEC Stadium, bludgeoning 74 from 39 balls - including seven sixes - to do the bulk of England's work with the bat alongside Moeen Ali.

Moeen's 72 not out from number three helped him to the man-of-the-match award and a selection quandary for Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss revolves around whether to retain the Worcestershire all-rounder in that position or move him up to open to make room for Nottinghamshire's James Taylor at first drop.

"I love opening the batting but wherever the team wants me to bat, I will bat, and if that's three then so be it," Moeen said.

"I have done it before so it is not a problem. Opening the batting is obviously a little bit different.

"I think with the fielding restrictions it doesn't really matter now but most of the time I enjoy the newer, harder ball because I don't have to hit it as hard. I find it better if I open the batting but I am happy at three, four, five or wherever."

Joe Burns is favourite to partner David Warner at the top of Australia's order, having made his debut against Ireland in Belfast last month.

Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes provides an additional seam option for England on his international return following knee surgery.

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