As England prepares for a crucial 3rd ODI against Australia at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, they find themselves in a must-win situation, trailing 0-2 in the five-match series. The pressure is on the home side to avoid losing the series, and the conditions at Riverside Ground will play a key role in determining their chances.
Riverside Ground Pitch Report
The pitch at Riverside Ground is typically known for being batting-friendly. While pacers might get some movement with the new ball in the early overs, the surface generally offers consistent bounce and pace, making stroke play easier for the batters. Teams have historically posted high scores here, with the average first-innings total being 239, but the ground has seen totals go as high as 338/6.
Batters can expect good conditions, but bowlers who use variations smartly, especially in the middle overs, could find some success. The key for the bowlers will be to take advantage of any early seam movement before the pitch settles in favor of the batters.
Riverside Ground Stats
Since its first ODI in 1999, Riverside Ground has hosted 25 ODI matches. Teams batting second have a slight edge, having won 13 matches compared to 10 victories for sides batting first.
- Highest team total: 338/6 by Sri Lanka against West Indies in 2019.
- Lowest team total: 99 by England against Sri Lanka in 2014.
- Highest successful chase: 314/4 by England.
These stats indicate that while teams can post high totals batting first, chasing sides have performed well too. England, with their deep batting line-up, will be hoping to capitalize on this and push for a win to stay alive in the series.