England vs Australia 2020, 3rd T20I: Match Prediction: Who will win the match?

When Jofra Archer ran in during his opening burst in the second T20I at Southampton, the minds were boggled on whether the shortest version of the game or not. That was a befitting display of proper Test match bowling: the lengths he hit were paragon; the pace was furious, and a list of jaffas bemused the Australian opener, David Warner, just as much as the entire team would be right now reading the score-line.

Australia has had quite a few moments in the series that they either failed to capitalise upon or were too slack to even realize. To raise questions on Aaron Finch’s captaincy won’t be wrong either. Or how would one explain giving the ball to Adam Zampa – who already had a nightmare in the previous game and had only a slightly less scary one again in the second game – the ball in the 19th over? That too with Kane Richardson and Pat Cummins left with some?

When the Aussies came into the series, the expectations were for them to be slightly rusty. To their and everyone else’s pleasant surprise, they were far from being rusty in the first game that they lost by the thinnest of margins. That rust, quite surprisingly, seemed evident in the second game. Though it was only the second one after an unprecedentedly long sabbatical, that does not excuse scrutiny.

Certainly not when the team is the No. 1 in the format: the same spot that is now up for grabs for England coming into the third game. Why they were so sluggish in the second game and lacked intent is for them to answer and introspect. Well, of course, Jos Buttler’s dominance can often portray the opponents lacking intent – such is his might when he flows in his style – but Australia was way too lax in their approach even otherwise.

The third meeting is a dead rubber of sorts with the next month’s T20 World Cup becoming an affair of next year courtesy the pandemic, but the ancient rivalry of the two teams will certainly add some flavor to even an encounter of less significance. One where England will eye to snatch the No.1 badge, while Australia will look to guard that along with their dented pride after two straight losses.

Pitch and conditions

The same track will be used for the third game straight and that will not be great to know for a batsman. The surface was drier as compared to the first game and was certainly slower too, which is why runs did not come off easily. With more wear and tear and a couple of days of baking under the sun, the scoring might be a bit difficult.

Playing combination

England

In absence of Jos Buttler (who is set to miss the last game on account of personal reasons), Tom Banton would be the first-choice for England to be paired alongside Jonny Bairstow. This in turn will mean Dawid Malan’s position at No. 3 will be fixed for the game. The team would hope that skipper Eoin Morgan’s dislocated finger does not hinder his participation in this encounter.

The most suitable replacement in the middle-order after the top-order shuffling will be Sam Billings, whereas the other Sam may also get a look-in if the skipper misses out. Apart from this, too much tinkering is improbable given that England has a chance to whitewash the tourists and take some good form into the upcoming ODI series. The bowling unit should be the same as that of the previous outing.

Predicted XI- Tom Banton, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Sam Curran/Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid

Australia

Despite losing both the games, it cannot be denied that the current eleven looks to be the almost-ideal one for Australia. With David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top followed by Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the middle, their batting order looks fixed. Though Marcus Stoinis was a bit tacky in the opener, he looked fluent for his 35 last time.

The one man who might be axed could be Alex Carey, who despite being promoted at No. 3 in the last game could not manage anything apart from a faint edge. However, his potential replacement Joshua Phillippe has no experience whereas Matthew Wade has not kept wickets for ages. Adam Zampa could be rested for Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood might be given a go in place of Mitchell Starc, who has, surprisingly, lacked lethality.

Predicted XI- David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, 2 of Mitchell Starc/Kane Richardson/Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon/Adam Zampa

Probable Top Performers

Dawid Malan – England | Aaron Finch – Australia

Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 10:30 PM (IST), 6:00 PM (local).

TV– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Live Streaming– The match can be streamed online on Sony Liv and Airtel stream

The prediction is for England to win the match.