England wasted a chance to set up a clean sweep of their home summer when they lost the final T20I of their series against Pakistan, but they will need little motivation for a clash with the old enemy.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
That enemy, Australia, have brought a squad that is an interesting blend of youth and experience as they look to build for the series of limited overs world cups on the horizon.
First T20I | Friday 4 September 2020 | The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 19:00
To Win Match
England 72/100
Tie 25/1
Australia 23/20
England
Tom Banton enjoyed a great series against Pakistan although he did run out skipper Eoin Morgan in the final run chase which took some of the gloss of his displays.
Moeen Ali continues to prove his worth as a devastating finisher, and his wicket will be one prized by the Australian bowlers throughout this campaign.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will likely resume bowling against, but it is tough to envision and England XI with both in it at least in this format of the game.
Joe Root’s exclusion will allow Banton and Dawid Malan a chance to show what they can do for England at the top of the order. Malan finds himself under pressure to score quicker despite a good series against Pakistan.
Australia
Australia get back into the swing of international cricket at long last having played the last international before the global shutdown back in March.
Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis looked in good nick in the intra-squad warm-up matches; they are likely to form the middle-order behind Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia’s opening pair should be pretty much set in stone with few partnerships striking fear into the hearts of bowlers like Aaron Finch and David Warner. Finch cracked a world record score the last time he was at the Rose Bowl, and his love of playing in England is well documented.
Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are all available for this series in a rare case of the three multi-format speed merchants being fit and available for the same T20I series.
Verdict: England 72/100
The Australian rust should tell.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
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