Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
It has been an interesting year in England v Australia limited overs matches.
In this case, though, interesting doesn’t mean competitive. Neither does it mean it is unlike India v Sri Lanka matches, which we see so often.
Many England fans claim they don’t care about T20s after missing the final of the Australia-New Zealand-England Tri-Series Final earlier this year. Many Australia fans claim that ODIs aren’t that big a deal after losing nine of ten matches against the old enemy.
England and Australia will be at it again, but this time in a format that Australia favours. Can Australia end a miserable tour on a high?
England will be certainly hoping to send the old enemy back home empty handed. Going on the back of what the amazing Jos Buttler achieved in the 5th ODI on Sunday, you can say England are in no mood for favours. Buttler is set to open, and anyone who followed the IPL this year means that this could spell danger for Australia. It takes something special for Michael Vaughan to post a Twitter poll asking whether someone is better than MS Dhoni at the moment. Also, in the back of their minds, England will be seeking some revenge for a disappointing T20 Tri-Series in February.
While England would be seeking revenge, Australia would be encouraged. They swept England aside twice in the February Tri-Series, and won the tournament without losing a match. The selectors were rightly praised for picking a side perfect for the T20 format – a side filled with excellent performers in the BBL. This time, though, there will be no David Warner to lead the side, so how well can Aaron Finch fill the role? Can Australia enjoy a little more success on a tough tour?
Remains to be seen.
Key to an England win
Australia’s encouraging 1st and 5th ODI bowling efforts sandwiched absolute carnage. In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ODIs, England amassed 1,137 runs at 7.87 an over. A run rate of this kind is remarkable to maintain in the ODI format, and England’s batting line up will once again be looking to take apart Australia’s bowlers.
Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow are all in rare form. Then you add Eoin Morgan and Joe Root, and England have a very strong top six. How their top six fares will be key to continuing the pain for Australia, and pave the way to improving their 5th place ranking.
Also, Australia tried to take apart England’s bowlers in the final ODI, but had little success. Against a good Aussie T20 batting line up, England need regular wickets to thwart the progress of the enemy.
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| Jos Buttler is in rare form |
Key to an Australia win
Glenn Maxwell was player of the February Tri-Series, and Australia will be hoping he’s fit and firing in this clash. At his best, he is one of the most destructive players in the world, and if Australia’s strong BBL performers can fire too, Australia will be confident setting or chasing good scores.
In addition to Maxwell, the onus will be on the likes of Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short, who registered underwhelming IPL campaigns, and will be hoping the vastly different conditions to India will be to their benefit. Can Australia’s top six match England’s?
Also, can Australia’s bowlers effectively thwart England? Australia’s bowling attack comprises of quite of a bit of T20 know-how. Andrew Tye was the IPL’s leading wicket taker, and Billy Stanlake continues to impress in the format. Kane Richardson has enjoyed some success and Ashton Agar will keep things as tight as possible.
Here, the role of the fifth bowler is vital and it will be interesting to see which way Australia go with their selection.
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| Australia will be hoping Glenn Maxwell is fit and firing |
Predicted teams
England may go with either Chris Jordan or Sam Curran for a bowling spot. It could be Jordan who pips Curran, who was a little expensive on ODI debut on Sunday. As mentioned, it has been confirmed Jos Buttler will open.
England XI: 1. Jos Buttler (wk), 2. Jason Roy, 3. Alex Hales, 4. Joe Root, 5. Jonny Baitstow, 6. Eoin Morgan (c), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. David Willey
Tim Paine makes way, with Aaron Finch to replace him as captain and Alex Carey the gloves. Glenn Maxwell could play after a shoulder injury, and so too legspinner Mitchell Swepson, given the conditions could be quite dry.
Australia XI: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Travis Head, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Nic Maddinson, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Marcus Stoinis/Mitchell Swepson, 9. Kane Richardson, 10. Andrew Tye, 11. Billy Stanlake
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won their last six T20Is. England have lost four of their last five.
- Australia have beaten England twice in 2018.
- The last time England hosted Australia in a T20I was in 2015, where they won by five runs. Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali were the chief destroyers that day.
- Jos Buttler recently hit five straight half centuries in IPL 2018, which was after he was promoted to opener.
Prediction
A much tougher match to predict than the ODIs, given Australia’s strengths in the format. However, with England looking a little more settled, I will predict them to win, but only by a slender margin.
