Series on the line at Edgbaston

England enter Wednesday's one-day international against Australia at Edgbaston hoping for their ninth win in 10 matches.

Alastair Cook's side have enjoyed a glorious run of form in the 50-over format in recent times, with a wash-out against the West Indies just under a fortnight ago the only non-victory in the streak.

After making two changes from the side that lost the first match of the series at Lord's by 15 runs – Peter Forrest and Mitchell Johnson replaced Steve Smith and the injured Pat Cummins respectively – Australia are sure to ring the changes again.

They bowled poorly at The Oval on Sunday, taking just four wickets as England chased down a victory target of 252 with 26 balls to spare.

Johnson (0-43 off seven overs) leaked 20 runs from his first two overs at the beginning of the English innings as Australia made a sluggish start, one they never recovered from.

Brett Lee (0-58 off 10) and Xavier Doherty (0-41 off 7.4) did not cause too many problems and with quicks Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson twiddling their thumbs in the dressing room, captain Michael Clarke will surely reshuffle his bowling attack.

Shane Watson (66 off 80 balls) and George Bailey (65 off 86) led the way for Australia with the bat but both scored a little slower than they would have liked as the losers finished with 20 or 30 runs too few.

The likes of David Warner (10), Peter Forrest (12), Michael Clarke (10) and Matthew Wade (6) all failed and a more even spread of contributions will be required in game three if the Aussies are to win.

That's not to say that England have won the first two games of the series simply because Australia have been poor.

The hosts have lost just nine wickets in more than 95 overs of cricket with Eoin Morgan (132 runs) and Ian Bell (116) impressive with the bat.

After making a rapid-fire 89 from 63 balls in the series opener, Morgan scored an unbeaten 43 to guide England home on Sunday.

Bell's form at the top of the order has also been terrific, with scores of 41 and 75 getting his side off to good starts.

England's bowling attack has also looked far more potent than that of their opponents, with Tim Bresnan (four wickets) and Steven Finn and Stuart Broad (three each) doing the job for Cook's side.

Finn bowled particularly well with the new ball at The Oval, as he pitched the ball up and swung it, something that caused Warner several problems.

The first two matches of the series suggest that bowling first is an advantage with overcast conditions in the morning helping the ball seam around in the early stages.

England will be without Jade Dernbach, who will miss the remainder of the series because of a side strain.

Back-up bowler Stuart Meaker is another absentee, released to attend the funeral of Surrey team-mate and friend Tom Maynard, who died last month.

Chris Woakes has been drafted into the squad as cover, with England quietly confident that Jimmy Anderson – who missed Sunday's match with a groin injury – will recover in time for the match.

If England can sweep the series they will claim the number one ranking in one-day cricket.

With the series on the line, Clarke will demand an improved performance from his side, but beating an England team in terrific form will not be an easy task.