CRICKETS:Series decider for season finale

Big Picture
England's international season, which began with a Test against New Zealand on May 16, will reach its terminus down on the south coast with the deciding ODI of the series. Their opponents, Australia, have been here more than three months themselves (and will return home with a different coach), so there is likely to be an unavoidable sense of 'school's out' come the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the fifth one-dayer in Southampton.

Despite poor weather scrubbing out two rubbers, the series is neatly poised at 1-1 after England's improved display in Cardiff. An inexperienced attack made good use of the conditions, Eoin Morgan having won a useful toss, and the depth in the batting (plus a little magic from Jos Buttler) bailed them out after Clint McKay's hat-trick. Some will say that the inclusion of a fourth genuine pace bowler might have kept Australia to an even smaller total but Morgan and Ashley Giles will feel some justification for continuing to back an experimental side.

Despite having played some impressive cricket, Australia find themselves facing the possibility of another series defeat. Michael Clarke has only been involved in one international victory on the whole tour and his chances of leading the team to a morale-boosting triumph have been knocked by the news that his back - which prevented him from playing a part in the Champions Trophy - is playing up again. With yet more ODIs on the horizon (in India), ahead of the return Ashes, Australia won't be taking any chances.

Both teams may be a little battle weary but the prospect of an Ageas Bowl belter should perk up the batsmen, at least. If the rain stays away, we can justifiably hope for a carnival atmosphere and some six-hitting saturnalia to sign off the summer. Savour it, because there's an almost ten-week gap before hostilities resume Down Under.

Form guide
England WLWLW (Completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LWWLL

Boyd Rankin has impressed for England 

Watch out for...
Boyd Rankin was added to England's ODI squad as cover during the New Zealand series before making his debut in a T20 after the Champions Trophy. The former Ireland quick transferred his allegiance with a view to playing Test cricket - and his limited-overs inclusion was seen in some quarters as a ploy to seal the switch - but he has impressed hugely and his one-day returns could push him up the queue for a berth in England's Ashes party.

Another player who has pressed his Test credentials during the ODI series is Clarke's vice-captain, George Bailey. His chances of coming into contention for a place in Australia's Test middle order probably rest more heavily on early season Sheffield Shield form at home, but an ODI average pushing 50 won't do any harm. Both of his knocks in this series have yielded 80s and he has been central to Australia's plan to unsettle James Tredwell.

Team news
England have cleaved unwaveringly to this XI through the series and it is a fair bet they will continue to stick rather than twist. Chris Jordan and Jamie Overton have patiently waited for debuts but could find themselves carrying the drinks again.

England (possible) 1 Michael Carberry, 2 Kevin Pietersen, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Joe Root, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Ben Stokes, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Steven Finn, 11 Boyd Rankin

Shaun Marsh has been ruled out after straining a hamstring in Cardiff, so Phillip Hughes will come in as a like-for-like replacement at the top of the order. Clarke will be assessed in the morning, with Glenn Maxwell providing cover. Spinners on both sides took a bit of punishment in the T20 in Southampton but Fawad Ahmed could return for Nathan Coulter-Nile, depending on conditions.

Australia (possible) 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 George Bailey, 6 Adam Voges, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Nathan Coulter-Nile/Fawad Ahmed, 11 Clint McKay

Pitch and conditions
Aaron Finch will have fond memories of the Ageas Bowl pitch, having battered England like a piñata in the first T20 last month, piling up a world-record 156. In recent times, Ian Bell, Hashim Amla and Martin Guptill have all played memorable ODI knocks on the ground, although a mixed forecast for Monday could give the bowlers some encouragement.

Stats and trivia

• If England win the match - and with it the series - they will move above Australia to second in the one-day rankings.
• Only Ian Bell has scored more ODI runs at the Ageas (formerly Rose) Bowl than Eoin Morgan's 322 at 80.50.
• In his first 14 ODI innings, Joe Root reached double figures on every occasion; in his last four, he has recorded three single-figure scores, including a first duck.
• Josh Hazlewood made his debut against England in Southampton three years ago.