In a high-voltage clash of titans, England will host Australia at Southampton for the opening game of the three-game T20I series. The exciting matchup will go on floors on September 11, Wednesday from 11.00 PM onwards. Following the completion of their Test summer, England now turn their attention to white ball cricket with a three-match T20i series against old rivals Australia, beginning in Southampton.
Ready for some more England vs Australia… Whatever your answer may be, there’s plenty through the rest of this month with eight matches in 18 days starting with the first of three T20Is in Southampton. And from the paying punters’ point of view, the late-season action is proving popular with five of the games sold out after a Sri Lanka Test series where the less-than-crammed stands on some days was a talking point.
ENG vs AUS : Previous Performances
The last England took the field in T20i cricket, it was in the West Indies for their ICC T20 World Cup semi-final against India, which saw Jos Buttler’s side comprehensively beaten. Since then, head coach Matthew Mott has departed with Brendon McCullum appointed in his place. However, interim white ball coach Marcus Trescothick will be in charge for this series.
Whilst England have been exclusively in Test match whites across the past couple of months, Australia have prepared themselves for this upcoming series by facing Scotland in three T20i fixtures in Edinburgh. Mitchell Marsh’s side were winners in all three games but the hosts should pose a far tougher test.
Australia are coming off a comprehensive victory over Scotland in a three-match T20I series by 3-0. On the other hand, though the hosts won two out of three Tests against Sri Lanka, the loss in the third Test has significantly shifted the momentum away.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, Australia whitewashed New Zealand by 3-0. They had a forgettable World Cup campaign but the team seems to have got back into the groove. On the other hand, England’s tedious white-ball events have many questions about their prospects. They played two T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup and lost by 3-1 to West Indies and won by 2-0 against Pakistan.
ENG vs AUS : Head to Head
| Matches Played | 24 |
| Won by England | 11 |
| Won by Australia | 11 |
| No Result | 02 |
| First-ever Fixture | 13 Jun 2005 |
| Most-recent Fixture | 08 Jun 2024 |
ENG vs AUS : Pitch Report
The pitch at the Rose Bowl is known for being a good batting surface, especially in the initial stages of a match. The surface is typically flat, with even bounce, which allows batters to play their shots freely. However, the pitch also offers assistance to bowlers, particularly the seamers, early on due to the conditions typical of English pitches.
There wasn’t much grass on the surface and some of the bigger boundaries in the country could should suit Australia. The autumn weather is set fair, if chilly by the evening. The match is a sellout and Hampshire are switching on 1000 solar panels at Utilita Bowl before the game.
The pitch is conducive to batting and has an average first-innings score of 172. That does not mean the chasing team has any drawbacks. The deck will remain the same for most of the game. Australia managed to score the highest total at this venue 248 against England in 2013. The bowlers might have to rely on early swing. The weather will be partly cloudy with a 13 percent chance of rain during the game.
ENG vs AUS : Big Picture
The ridiculousness of England’s schedule is again in the spotlight with this series starting the day after what would have been the last day of The Oval Test if it had gone the distance. It means an almost entirely separate squad for the T20Is – Josh Hull is the one overlap – in what is England’s first series after a stuttering T20 World Cup campaign which ultimately led to the sacking of Matthew Mott.
The England Men’s coaching roles will be unified under Brendon McCullum, but not until January with Marcus Trescothick taking charge for this series and the tour of West Indies in November (which is wedged between Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand) while for the T20Is at least there is also a stand-in captain with Phil Salt deputizing for the injured Jos Buttler.
Still, there is no shortage of white-ball pedigree in the England squad: despite a shocking ODI World Cup and an uninspired T20 version it feels their depth remains significant, and perhaps it’s been a case of the golden generation being given a little too long before the next batch are let loose.
The hosts have named a number of debutants for this first T20i and one of those is a player well worth focusing on from a betting point of view. Whether it’s been for Essex in all formats, or Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, Jordan Cox has been in outstanding form and is enjoying a real breakthrough summer when it comes to scoring runs consistently.
Momentum and confidence is clearly a key part of his game and whilst the opposition increases in quality, it would be no surprise to see Cox expertly handle the step up to international level. Set to bat at number three, backing Cox to mark his debut with a score of 20+ runs has to be favored.
Australia’s series sweep over Scotland will be largely remembered for the first match and Travis Head’s incredible 80 from just 25 balls at the Grange. The opener ripped the Scottish bowlers apart and will have a point to prove in England. Head struck 34 against the same opposition at the ICC T20 World Cup and is well worth backing to score over 25.5 match runs on this occasion.
Before the three Scotland matches which began this tour for Australia, Mitchell Marsh played down talk of it being a T20 “reset” for his side after their disappointing exit from the World Cup where, in fact, they dropped out before England. The changing shape of the Australia side with a view to 2026 does feel more subtle than the home side, although there are some of England’s Test team that would have featured if the schedule had allowed.
They were very efficient in the three matches against Scotland with Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, who had been unused in the T20 World Cup squad, having impressive outings after Travis Head’s opening-game rampage.
The pace-bowling resources are being stretched with injuries popping up – most significantly to Nathan Ellis who is out of the tour – but Josh Hazlewood has joined up with the squad after a minor calf tweak meant he sat out the Scotland leg. It’s likely that Australia will continue to tinker with their combination and batting order during this series.
ENG vs AUS : In the Spotlight : Jacob Bethell and Jake Fraser-McGurk
Given the new-look nature of the England squad you could almost pick out anyone, and perhaps it’s simpler to leave the spotlight on the entire XI. But allrounder Jacob Bethell, who was born in Barbados, has generated plenty of talk this season and his talents are already noted on the global stage with BBL and SA20 deals.
He had a breakout season in the T20 Blast for Birmingham Bears, averaging 36.10 with a strike-rate of 153.61, which included a 15-ball 50. His team-mate Dan Mousley, who is also in the England squad, said: “I haven’t seen many people strike a ball like that.”
Jake Fraser-McGurk was given first dibs at replacing David Warner at the top of Australia’s order, but it wasn’t the easiest of starts against Scotland with two ducks either side of making 16 to begin his T20I career. He’s given the license to go at top gear from ball one, but the slow, two-paced surfaces did not appear to his liking, a world away from the flat pitches in the IPL where he put his name up in lights earlier this year after enjoying a breakout home summer.
Following on from a lean MLC it means Fraser-McGurk has 97 runs in his last ten T20 innings. With Matt Short available for this series after the early arrival of his first baby, having originally only been part of the ODI squad, and others who could easily open, Fraser-McGurk may not get all three matches against England, or he could potentially be tried in another position.
ENG vs AUS : Vital Stats that matters
- Southampton was the venue for the first T20I between these teams in 2005 when Australia were bowled out for 79 ahead of that summer’s Ashes. In 2020 the ground stage three behind-closed-doors T20s during Covid which England won 2-1.
- Josh Inglis currently averages 42.87 with a strike-rate of 176.80 when batting at No. 3 in T20Is
- In 24 T20Is between these sides, it stands all squad at 11-11 with two no-results
ENG vs AUS : Team News : Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox debuts for England
England
England cricket team will miss the services of their captain Jos Buttler, who has been ruled out of the T20I series due to a calf injury. Phil Salt will instead lead the English troops. Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton received a call-up for a shorter format, with Jordan Cox also being given an opportunity. Jofra Archer and Sam Curran will be players to watch out for, as the duo have stayed healthy all summer.
Veteran all-rounder, Moeen Ali won’t be a part of the series as well as he retired from international cricket earlier this week. Overall, the England cricket team looks solid and balanced simultaneously. While Aussies will pose a significant challenge, England’s dominance at home is unmatched.
England confirmed their XI more than 24 hours before the game. Bethell and Jordan Cox will earn their first caps while Jamie Overton, who was called up as Jos Buttler’s replacement, also makes his T20I debut as a batter-only as he continues to recover from a back injury. Saqib Mahmood plays his first international since March 2023.
England Playing XI : Will Jacks, Phil Salt (c), Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Reece Topley
Australia
Marsh did not name Australia’s XI but confirmed that Hazlewood was good to return after his calf niggle. He also said that if Short plays he will open the batting which potentially means Fraser-McGurk missing out. Meanwhile, Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh as Pat Cummins is recovering from an injury. David Warner’s void will be significantly felt by Aussies as the opener announced his retirement from international cricket following the T20 World Cup loss.
Regardless, Jake Fraser McGurk is an exciting talent coming up for Australia. While he recorded failures in the Scotland series, he is expected to perform well at the top against England. Mitchell Starc is also rested, which paves the way for Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott. Notably, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson have also been snubbed due to injury setbacks. Regardless, the Aussies have a strong bench to fight England, which sets the stage for an exciting contest.
Australia Playing XI : Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (wk.), Cooper Connelly, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa.
Aus vs Eng Fantasy XI : Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis, Jofra Archer
ENG vs AUS : Probable Top Performers from ENG vs AUS
Probable Best Batter: Travis Head
Explosive batter Travis Head was in marauding form in the first T20I against Scotland recently, as the batter scored 80 off just 25 balls to lead the team to a win. He smashed 12 boundaries and five maximums and remained unbeaten with a strike rate of 320. Hence, Australia will expect him to continue his good batting mojo in the upcoming first T20I against England.
Probable Best Bowler: Cameron Green
All-rounder Cameron Green was the Man of the Match in the third T20I against England’s neighbor, as the all-rounder picked three wickets in the last T20I. He was the pick of the bowler in the series with six wickets at an average of 10.50.
ENG vs AUS : Match Prediction
Australia having already gotten back to grips with T20 cricket following a break should come into this first game better placed than England, who are very much in transition and coming off the back of a long run of Test matches. Although the new players may give the hosts a boost, a more seasoned Australian side are expected to start the series stronger and take the lead in Southampton.
England and Australia are two of the most dominant sporting teams in the world. Both squads look strong and well-balanced, and it’s safe to say the game is evenly poised. However, given the advantage of home conditions, we expect England to win this game.