Adrian Mills’ best bets for this T20 clash between rivals include a win for England and a big performance from Jos Buttler.
It may not be the Ashes, but it’s always a fascinating watch when Australia and England go head-to-head on a cricket wicket.
This is the second game of the T20 World Cup for both teams, but England saw their opening match ruined by the weather and that means that there is now even more at stake.
A one-point no result clash with Scotland makes this an even bigger game for Jos Buttler’s men, who are looking to retain their title.
Australia started with a win over Oman, although their performance wasn’t that convincing as they eventually beat the minnows by 39 runs.
Selections
England to win
11/10
Player To Hit The Most Fours – Jos Buttler
5/1
Player To Take 2+ Wickets – Adam Zampa
11/8
The need is greater for England
After collecting just a point due to the rain against Scotland, England could do with a statement victory over their old rivals.
Although the defending champions should win their other two Group B games – against Oman and Namibia – a win over Australia could take further weather issues out of the equation.
The two nations have faced each other in 23 T20 internationals and England have the edge, with 11 wins to Australia’s 10 and two no results.
Buttler’s men though have won the last three on the spin against the Aussies and they do have previous success to look back on in Bridgetown.
England lifted the T20 World Cup trophy at the Kensington Oval in 2010, beating the Baggy Greens by seven wickets in the final.
In-form Buttler can make the difference
England captain Buttler is currently seventh in the T20 world rankings and has an average of 35.46 in 107 innings at international level.
Buttler’s recent record against Australia also makes good reading for England fans, scoring 61-44-77*-71*-68-17-65* in his last seven innings against their rivals.
The wicketkeeper-opener has scored three half-centuries in his last five T20I innings for his country, including 89 in May’s win over Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Buttler found the boundary rope eight times in that Birmingham success, before smashing seven fours in the victory at The Oval.
The 33-year-old returned to international duty after a solid performance at the IPL, where the England white-ball skipper made 359 runs in 11 innings for the Rajasthan Royals.
Zampa key for Australia
Adam Zampa has been Australia’s go-to spinner in limited-overs matches in recent years and his recent T20I record is up there with the top bowlers in the world.
The 32-year-old has taken 12 wickets in his last seven T20 internationals, including figures of 4-20 in February’s clash with New Zealand in Auckland.
Zampa’s best figures against England came in Canberra in October 2022, taking 2-26, while the man from New South Wales also took two scalps in Australia’s win over Oman on Thursday.
The right-armer withdrew from this year’s IPL in order to prepare for this tournament and Australia should get the full benefit of a fresh Zampa.
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