The first ODI between Australia and England is set to begin in Perth on Friday at 2:30pm (AEDT), with both sides hoping to start the series with a win.
The last time England won a men's ODI series in Australia was during the 2017/18 tour, when they defeated the hosts 4–1 in a five-match series.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 11 months away, both sides will be looking to find their strongest XI and build momentum ahead of the tournament. The series will provide a valuable opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection and show what they can produce on the international stage.
England will be without Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue for the three-match series, with both players ruled out due to injury.
Australia has opted for a younger squad to take on the Poms, with a lot of the Test players having been rested after a series loss to South Africa as they prepare to take on New Zealand in December.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa.
England squad: Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root
Recent form
Australia has recently suffered a 2-1 away series loss against South Africa in September.
Mitch Marsh and Travis Head set the tone at the top of the order, with Head averaging 48 and Marsh 66.67, including three consecutive half-centuries.
England head into their three-match ODI series against Australia with mixed recent form, having won just two of their last five matches.
Ben Duckett is England's leading ODI run scorer in 2026 and has scored back-to-back centuries in his last two innings.
Harry Brook has scored 612 ODI runs in 2026, including 202 off just 116 balls against Sri Lanka in October.
Players to watch
Matthew Renshaw
The Queensland middle-order batsman is Australia's most in-form batsman at the moment after scoring 361 runs at an average of 61.50 in the recent Test series vs South Africa.
If Australia's top order can get off to a hot start, it will allow Renshaw to come in and control the innings, which will help Australia put a big score on the board.
In his most recent ODI series against the Proteas, Renshaw made scores of 44, 32 and 30. He will be hoping he can turn these starts into a big score against England.
Travis Head
The explosive Australian opener will be hoping to get his side off to a fast start in Perth.
Head will look to attack the English bowlers from the first ball.
In Head's last six ODIs, he has scored 262 runs at an average of 43.67 and with a blistering strike rate of 114.41.
Spencer Johnson
With Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood all rested, Johnson is expected to lead Australia's fast-bowling attack alongside Xavier Bartlett.
The left-arm quick has been in impressive form since returning from a back stress fracture, recently taking career-best figures of 5/59 for South Australia against Queensland in the One-Day Cup.
Harry Brook
England captain Harry Brook heads into the three-match ODI series against Australia in outstanding form, having scored 612 runs in 2026 at an average of 51.
The 27-year-old recently produced a historic innings, smashing 202 off just 116 deliveries against Sri Lanka in October, including 21 fours and 10 sixes.
His remarkable innings saw him become the first Englishman to score an ODI double-century, while also recording the fastest double-century in the format's history.
Despite England losing the match, Brook will be hoping to continue his impressive form against Australia as his side looks to secure its first ODI series victory on Australian soil since 2018.
Jofra Archer
With Josh Tongue ruled out of the series through injury, Jofra Archer will have an even bigger role to play in England's fast-bowling attack.
The 31-year-old will be expected to lead the pace attack, using his express speed and ability to take wickets at crucial stages of the innings.
Archer recently showed his quality in England's warm-up victory over Western Australia, taking 3/34 from eight overs.
With Tongue unavailable, Archer's experience will be crucial as England look to contain Australia's powerful batting lineup.
Joe Root
The experienced 35-year-old has been in outstanding ODI form in 2026, scoring 680 runs at an average of 85, including one century and six half-centuries.
Root's experience and ability to build an innings will be crucial for England, particularly with Bethell unavailable.
Root is also set to play his 200th ODI in the series opener in Perth, becoming just the third Englishman to reach the milestone.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, England will be relying on Root to provide stability and guide their younger batters as they look to secure a series victory on Australian soil for the first time since 2018.
How to watch: Kayo Sports Fox Cricket. The first innings is available free on Kayo Freebies.
How to listen: ABC Radio, Triple M and SEN Radio.
