ENG vs AUS, Only T20I Preview: Australia hope to erase ODI debacle

Following a massive whipping in the ODI series which saw Australia on the receiving end of the stick from Eoin Morgan’s England, the visitors will certainly be hoping for a change of fortunes with the only T20 international to be played in Edgbaston, Birmingham. One aspect that will come as a welcome boost for the Aussies would be the new faces in the T20I squad and under the new skipper Aaron Finch and his deputy Alex Carey, both of whom had little roles to play in the recently-concluded ODI series.

For Eoin Morgan and his band of merry men, it will be the case of ‘more of the same’ given the manner in which they have exerted their dominance. The batting has clicked with Jonny Bairstow coming of age in the opening slot with Jos Buttler being in the form of his life at the moment. The side is also more of less settled in the limitied-overs’ format and especially in the shortest format of the game.

While there is expected to be a little rain in Edgbaston on the day, there is also marginal sunshine in the offing as well.

Team Combinations

England

Eoin Morgan will reprise his role as captain of the side with most of the England unit expected to be almost the same as the one fielded in the ODI series. Tom Curran and Chris Jordan make thier way into the side with the former expected to play an important part in the grand scheme of things. There will be a tussle between David Willey and Chris Jordan to exert their dominance in the bowling attack. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy will also be a part of the side as well following their exploits in the ODI series.

Predicted XI: Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoing Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan/David Willey, Tom Curran

Australia

In stark contrast to their opponents on the day, the Aussies have gone in with wholesale changes. With the likes of Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh away from the side, the visitors can indeed look to start afresh with Aaron Finch and Alex Carey now leading the pack. It will be interesting to see whether or not Mitchell Swepson gets the nod ahead of Ashton Agar since the latter has not really been in the best of form in recent times.

Predicted XI: Aaron Finch (C), D’Arcy Short, Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson

Players to watch out for

England

Jos Buttler

The wicketkeeper-batsman has indeed come of age following some fantastic performances in both the IPL and the ODI series. Buttler’s last innings in the fifth ODI, a century that saw the hosts scamper over the line to secure a win was something that ensured that his doubters were proven wrong. The big-hitting England batsman will be hoping to replicate his form in the T20 international as well, should the moment descend upon him.

Australia

Alex Carey

Having missed out on the ODI series selection, one thing is clear – Alex Carey will be hoping to leave his mark on the T20I scene at the very least. Now, he finds himself being named as the vice-captain of the side as well. It will be interesting to witness his leadership skills take centerstage as the T20I beckons.

Head to Head

Played– 15, England – 5, Australia- 9, Tie/NR- 1

Broadcast details– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Online– Sony LIV

Match Timings: 23:30 IST, 19:30 GMT

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