England vs Australia Preview & Prediction | 1st T20 International
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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.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday 11th September 2024 - UK – 6:30pm / India – 11:00pm / US EST – 1:30pm / US PST – 10:30am
VENUE: Utilita Bowl, Southampton, England
WEATHER: Dry with sunny intervals, a moderate breeze and temperatures that should start at 14c but then drop as the game goes on.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Fox Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / Australia – Fox Sports App / US – Willow TV
ENGLAND FORM: HOSTS IN T20 ACTION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD CUP
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.
LAST FIVE: LWLWW
AUSTRALIA FORM: AUSSIES TUNE UP FOR SERIES WITH COMFORTABLE BEATING OF SCOTS
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.
LAST FIVE: WWWLL
ENGLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
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 favoured.
AUSTRALIA BETTING ANALYSIS
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.
ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA EXPERT 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 VS AUSTRALIA TIP: AUSTRALIA TO WIN
