T20 World Cup 2021: Australia Predicted Playing XI against England

Even though what transpires between Australia and England on Saturday will have nothing to do with their upcoming meeting later this year, the Super12 clash in Dubai has already been billed by few as a pre-cursor to the Ashes. While the format is entirely different, the stakes of the contest, you would say, are no less.

Neither of the two teams has lost a game yet and could not have entered into their third league fixture with confidence higher and morale better. After not an entirely convincing victory against South Africa, Australia made up for it in the previous game, when they beat Sri Lanka by chasing 155 with three overs to spare. Put simply, they did not break a sweat in that attempt.

Not breaking a sweat is precisely how things have gone for England in both games they have played thus far: they mauled West Indies in their tournament opener by six wickets, followed by another clinical eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the two sides’ first-ever meet in the format. There is a streak to be extended for both sides in Dubai on October 30. But it needs no telling only one will sustain.

Australia Predicted XI against England:

Openers – David Warner, Aaron Finch

Arguably the happiest takeaway for the Aussies in the previous encounter was David Warner’s return to form. Warner struck 10 fours in his 42-ball 65 and alongside Aaron Finch, provided the briskest of starts that kept his team ahead in the chase throughout.

However, before Warner unfurled the old version of himself, Finch took the Sri Lankan new-ball bowlers head-on, smacking a quick-fire 37 off 23. With a sturdy middle-order following, the two men at the top being amongst the run is exactly the Australian ears would want to hear.

Middle-order – Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade

Though it has only been two games into the main draw, Glenn Maxwell has not managed to fire the way he did for the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venues not too long back. Maxwell fell for 18 against South Africa, while he holed out in the deep against Wanindu Hasaranga for just 5 in the previous fixture.

Much like his composed 35 off 34 against the Proteas, Steven Smith kept Australia in good stead against Sri Lanka with his 26-ball 28 after Maxwell’s wicket. Smith took the backseat with Warner operating comfortably at the other end. Once Warner went back, Marcus Stoinis had only a handful of runs to score to finish things off. An unbeaten 7-ball 16 from him not only did that but also ensured that Australia did not even need the services of Matthew Wade or Mitchell Marsh, who played at No. 3 against South Africa.

Bowlers – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

After an impressive performance (2/19) against the Proteas, Josh Hazlewood returned without a wicket against Sri Lanka. However, he was the most economical amongst the pacers, having conceded just 26 in his quota.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc was at his menacing best, claiming two wickets for 27, including a searing inswinging yorker that rattled Kusal Perera’s stumps after he had hit Starc for a six. His accomplice Pat Cummins, who got as many wickets, albeit for 34 runs, was the only Australian bower to strike in the powerplay against Sri Lanka.

Despite all the action from the quicks, the show-stopper was Adam Zampa, who was named the Player of the Match for his sensational figures of 2/12. With two clinical performances in a row, the only reason why Australia would change can be any last moment niggles.