England expects tough challenge from world No.1 Aussies in ODI series: Flower

SYDNEY - England coach Andy Flower has said that his team expects a tough challenge from the world No.1 ranked Australians during the upcoming seven-match ODI series.

Flower stressed that England had little time to celebrate their 3-1 Ashes series triumph, as they now have to focus on their one-day game against the Prime Ministers XI on Monday, which will be followed by two Twenty20 internationals.

“We are the T20 world champions and we’ve got to play well, we know they (Australia) are a very good side,” the Age quoted Flower, as saying.

“They are the No.1 one-day international side in the world and I think we are languishing in the middle of the table somewhere, so that is going to be a huge challenge for us,” he added.

Flower also said that England would miss the services of fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

“We won’t have two of our premier strike bowlers in Anderson and Broad, certainly not for the first half of the series in Anderson’s case,” the England coach said.

“That will be a challenge for our bowling attack, but also quite an exciting opportunity for them,” he added.

Anderson is set to fly back to England for the second time in a month, after the England management decided to rest him from both Twenty20 internationals and the first three ODIs.

Anderson has been the spearhead of England’s successful Ashes campaign, claiming 24 wickets at 26.04.

Broad was earlier ruled out of the tour in Australia with an abdominal injury. (ANI)