James Anderson absense got Australia Win against England

The England bowling line up could not quite come to the party in the One Day International game against Australia yesterday in the absence of James Anderson.

England only had 234 runs to play with. So, they needed to get into the Australian middle order early, but, that did not happen.

They instead lost the plot in the first power play. David Warner attacked, as he normally does, and the visitors seemed to surrender pretty soon.

Broad, to some extent, bowled with fire, but, Steven Finn was a disappointment and the questions would be asked now if a left arm fast bowler would have been a better choice than him as he would have brought some versatility to the attack as well.

It has been said that Anderson would be fit to go into the first World Cup game, but, if that does not happen, the England captain Morgan would be very concerned because the change bowlers do not seem to be disciplined enough to control the new ball, be it Finn or Jordan.

And, in Australian conditions, making the new ball count is important. Once the ball gets soft, on these flat pitches, you can travel for plenty.

So, Morgan would desperately want Anderson in the side for the World Cup opener.

Also, England has to have a look at James Tredwell at some point. He is a class off spinner and some of the Australian pitches have already started to get a bit weary in the middle of the season. So, the Kent man can be handful.

Moeen Ali, who is England’s first choice spinner at the moment, did not show that much sting bowling in the first game despite the fact that the pitch was tailor-made for him.

Moeen might have turned a ball or two, but, line and length wise, he was not spot-on.