Shane Warne picks Australia's XI for opening T20I against England

Ever since International cricket has resumed post-COVID-19 induced halt, England have been hosting nations successfully in the new normal. The bio-secure bubble is in place with numerous other health protocols, and keeping all that on the table, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been fairing quite well. After hosting West Indies, Ireland, and Pakistan in the same order, the English country is all set to host their arch-rivals Australia.

Kangaroos already touched the English soil a few days back and are now done with their mandatory quarantine period too. The much-awaited action between the two nations will hit floors on September 4, where they’ll lock horns with each other in 3 T20Is and as many ODIs. The home side will be led by Eoin Morgan, whereas Aaron Finch will lead the visitors from the front.

Amid the team speculations and probable playing XI, the former star leggie and commentator Shane Warne has come with his line up for the T20I series setting the action on September 4.

His playing XI of T20 begins from Aaron finch being the skipper and opener along with David Warner. On the 3rd and 4th slot, he went for Marcus Stoinis and Steve Smith respectively. Moving down the middle order, the no 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th positions are filled by  Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, and Pat Cummins.

Even as Maxwell, Carey and Marsh are known for their batting, Cummins can also hit the big shots in the hour of need. For the pace attack, Warne picked up Mitchell Starc and debutante Riley Meredith, who had impressed for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL). Adam Zampa is the lone specialist spinner in the lineup.

Shane Warne’s Playing XI for T20

My Australian T/20 team…..

Finch (c)
Warner
Stoinis
Smith
Maxwell
Carey
Marsh M
Cummins
Starc
Meredith
Zampa

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 3, 2020

Now, interesting players to watch out for will be debutante Riley Meredith, who can generate serious pace. Right arm pacer Cummins will be another big name to look out for as he has been roped in by KKR for the upcoming season of IPL at a bid of INR 15.5 crores. Maxwell will also be returning to international cricket after taking a break from the sport last year due to mental health issues.