England head to Australia as the hosts face doubts after South Africa loss

England's cricket team starts a tour of Australia in Perth on 13 November, made up of three one-day internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 internationals (T20Is). The tour runs until 2 December. ODIs are 50-over matches, while T20 is a shorter format. Australia go into it with problems in Test cricket, the long format, and former England captain Michael Atherton believes this gives the visitors a chance to keep the pressure on the hosts before next summer's Ashes, the celebrated Test series between England and Australia.

Australia's problems

Australia's Test side recently lost a series 2-1 in South Africa, who took over top spot in the Test rankings. The Australians were bowled out for 99 and 111 in two innings. Batter Marnus Labuschagne has gone 49 innings without a Test century, and the source says he looks certain to be dropped before the home series against New Zealand. Selectors are also under fire for recalling Nic Maddinson, who scored just 56 runs in four innings.

Atherton told the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast that Australia could "implode" before the Ashes. Former player David Warner also sharply criticised the team after the South Africa series.

The tour

Australia have chosen to rest pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for all eight matches. Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw could feature in the ODIs. England beat Sri Lanka in their previous ODI in October, with Ben Duckett making a second successive century.

The first ODI is in Perth on 13 November, the second in Adelaide on 15 November and the third in Hobart on 18 November. The T20Is are scheduled for Melbourne, Carrara, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra between 21 November and 2 December.

In the previous Ashes, Australia won 4-1 and retained the trophy, while in Perth England lost the first Test inside two days.