The T20 World Cup favourites battle it out for supremacy ahead of the massive showpiece. Both sides have shown weakness recently but they remain hot contenders for the T20 crown.
Australia vs England | 9 October 2022 | Optus Stadium, Perth | 10:10
To Win Match
Australia 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | England 72/100
Australia
Regular T20 stars Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell will miss the series opener against England as they remain in Queensland.
Those absences hand opportunities to Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Nathan Ellis.
Stoinis is a doubt for this series and the World Cup and might end up being replaced by in-form allrounder Cameron Green.
Mitchell Swepson has been added to give depth to the Australian spin ranks.
England
England are still sweating on the fitness of skipper and arguably the No 1 T20 batter in the world in Jos Buttler.
If Mark Wood can find the same rhythm as he did in Pakistan Australia might be in trouble.
Phil Salt’s great batting form might ease England’s Buttler-related anxiety although Alex Hales has blown hot and cold.
David Willey, Reece Topley and Sam Curran make life awkward for batsmen in this format with their left-arm fast.
Verdict: England 72/100
A weakened Australia will be vulnerable here. England are rightly favourties.
