Australia will be installed as favourites for the upcoming ODI series against England, despite their Ashes defeat to Alastair Cook's side earlier in the summer.
The Baggy Greens won the 2015 Cricket World Cup before they failed to retain the iconic Urn and will be desperate to leave these shores with a victory under their belt.
Motivation could be difficult to muster for England but, with a team packed full of young players who are not afraid to play daring cricket, the hosts are expected to put more into the series than perhaps they could have in recent years.
Batsman Joe Root has been rested and the decision to grant the 24-year-old some time off is an intriguing one.
He is arguably the country's best player at present but England could feel the full benefit of the freshness that Root will enjoy when they travel to the UAE to face Pakistan.
The upcoming games against the Aussies are of lesser importance when compared to what is to come for England during an energy sapping schedule in the coming months and Root's absence could prove to be a masterstroke.
