Rampant England Eye Series Win As Aussies Return To Full-Strength Squad
Overview
After a crunch game to kickstart the series in Perth, caravans have now moved to Canberra for the remaining two T20 internationals. England will be pleased with their performance in the previous game but will also be keen to iron out little kinks in their game.
One main issue they faced in the series opener was the middle order’s struggle to capitalize on the start provided by the openers. Moreover, their pacers were short of answers against Warner’s and Marsh’s counter-attack. They can consider introducing Moeen Ali in the first six overs to get rid of Warner early.
Australia have performed pretty well in the last three T20Is on their home soil. However, the likes of Finch, Smith, and Maxwell are yet to get settled in the team. So, they must get things sorted quickly as the T20 World Cup is knocking at the door.
Players To Keep An Eye On
Dawid Malan is still trying to get back to his best as England have thrown their support behind him. But he is yet to prove his substance in Australia, and these two games present him with the perfect chance to do so.
Glenn Maxwell is averaging 16 and striking at 118 in T20Is in 2022. With Stoinis and Tim David looking in fine touch, he needs to put his hands up before questions are raised on his spot in the team.
Key Match-Ups
Jos Butler vs. Mitchell Starc
When these two faced each other last time ( in the 2021 T20 World Cup), Butler treated the left-arm pacer with absolute disdain. Starc will eye revenge, and Butler will aim to keep owning their match-up supremacy.
Adil Rashid vs. Marcus Stoinis
In the 2019 ODI WC and 2021 T20 WC, Rash caught Stoinis on the crease to trap him plumb LBW. The leggie will try to trouble him again when he is new to the crease.
Team News
England
The only possible change can be in the pace department, with Jordan likely to come in for Wood. The latter could be rested to manage his workload.
Probable XI: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
Australia
Aaron Finch confirmed that he will return to the top of the order in the second match. It will mean an exit for Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell will take his position in the team. Also, their four regular bowlers are set to return in a do-or-die game for them.
Probable XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Adam Zampa
Weather and Conditions
There are negligible chances of rain as the temperature is expected to hover between 14°C and 17°C during the game.
The average first-innings score at Manuka Oval is 148, so 160+ will be a tough ask in the second innings.
What They Said?
“It’s great to have him (Hales) back. He has settled back in very well and he played fantasticly well tonight. He’s a destructive player who accesses all areas of the ground. He’s intimidating to bowl at and great to watch from the other end.”
English Skipper – Jos Butler was all praises for his opening partner in the press conference.
“No, I don’t think so (appealing for obstructing the field if he was in Butler’s shoes). It’s chaos, when you are hit on the head and don’t know where the ball is.”
Marcus Stoinis reflected on the field obstruction controversy occurring in the first T20I.
