He's up to his old tricks again - Glenn McGrath is predicting a 5-0 Ashes victory for Australia this summer.

"If the Australian team keeps playing as they are, they're going to go to England full of confidence," the legendary former seamer told BBC Sport. You can read more on the website.

Anthony Murray: "To say the crowd is sparse at the SCG is putting it generously..."

Image source, @anthonydpmurray

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"England could go both ways. They could be so down, they perform terribly. Or they could get themselves up like professionals. I think it will be the latter. James Anderson is in fairly decent form with the new nut and let's see if they can knock three or four over early. The players are playing for their own pride as well as they country."

Andrew: As a lifelong England fan and the first development officer of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (now the Afghanistan Cricket Board), I am delighted to see England play Afghanistan at the SCG. I am sure that both teams will ensure a good contest. May the best team win.

As the game starts I will remember the early discussions on the British Ambassador's lawn in Kabul in late '02 when I and the original Afghan administrators were working out how we could make Afghanistan a viable international cricketing nation. Those discussions, along with the kit and equipment generously donated by individuals and clubs in the UK, set the Afghans off on their cricketing journey.

One should never forget that administrators can talk all they like, but it is the players who make plans off the field turn into reality on the field!

This is ominous... the last six ODI matches involving England at the SCG (as a neutral venue) have been won by the side batting first.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney

"It's fair to say that a grey-day dead rubber has not captured the imagination of the Sydney public. The historic SCG, redeveloped to a mostly green bowl punctuated by the lovely old Pavilion and Ladies Pavilion, is 95% empty. It's a wonderful ground, made even better by the old Channel 9 cricket theme tune being piped into the lifts. Staccato strings, but missing Richie Benaud's velvet "Morning everyone"."

As we already knew, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes are injured for England so James Tredwell and Ravi Bopara come in to the side. Alex Hales finally gets a chance to open, along with Ian Bell. Other than that it is the same side that faced Bangladesh.

Afghanistan also make two changes: Shafuqullah Shafaq and Nasir Jamal are in for Asghar Stanikzai and Usman Ghani.

This might not seem like the most assertive of moves from Eoin Morgan but there is a logic behind it as there has been rain in Sydney this morning and more is forecast for later.

Cheers Michael. Morning all. I suspect if you are still awake at this time for the England game then you are possibly the kind of person who slows down to look at an accident.

Right now, there is no bigger car crash in world cricket than England, who are already out of the World Cup and (with no disrespect to Afghanistan) could well sink to a new low with defeat today. The fact that it is even a consideration is a testimony to how bad Eoin Morgan and his men have been this tournament.

But we don't want to get swamped in negativity before we've even started. Just like England, we've got to be professional about this.

But it is now time to focus on England and their match against Afghanistan. It has been a miserable competition for Eoin Morgan's side. Can it end on a positive note? Phil Dawkes is the man to guide you through the events at the SCG.

So in Hamilton, after 29 overs, Bangladesh are on 123-3. Mahmudullah is on 55 and has been joined by Shakib Al Hasan at the crease. Bangladesh have responded well after being on 27-2, but need to pick up the run rate to set a challenging target.

Ban v NZ scorecard

Happiness for Mahmudullah, sadness for New Zealand. He just about got home to move on to his 50. The third time he has reached that figure in his last three innings.

Run out? A direct hit from Martin Guptill and Mahmudullah is the anxious man. He has his 50 if the decision goes his way.

Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Sarkar has tried to do too much there, and he didn't need to because of the position they were in. If you're not feeling right, pick your moment to attack. Don't pick Vettori."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon or the "Live Coverage" tab

If there is ever a tune to kill a party it is 'Everybody Hurts' by REM. But that's what is playing around the ground after Soumya Sarkar, who has just made his 50, has a rush of blood and sends Vettori's delivery high into the air. Corey Anderson takes it in the long-on area.

Ban v NZ scorecard

Image source, Reuters

What a moment for Soumya Sarkar. He makes his maiden 50 in one-day internationals. It comes off 55 deliveries.

The Bangladesh fans have been great in this tournament. Singing, dancing, banging drums and generally having a lot of fun. Everything the World Cup should be. And those supporters, who may have feared their side were in trouble earlier on, are certainly having a wonderful time now.

Kevin Howells
BBC Test Match Special

"The crowd are a bit subdued - as it's a predominantly New Zealand crowd, they're just waiting for something to happen."

It is a packed crowd and one of the smaller grounds that are being used in the World Cup. Both batsman are enjoying themselves now and both are approaching half-centuries.

However, they could do with picking up the pace again. Only three from the over. The batsmen may need to start taking a few more chances.