Courtesy a fine all-round performance with the ball, England restricted Australia to 147. The dashing opener, Craig Kieswetter then came out all guns blazing and hammered 63 off just 49 deliveries to take his team to a memorable seven-wicket win against their arch-rivals in the mega final. It is against this backdrop that the two historic rivals – Australia and England – will clash with one another at the very same venue in Bridgetown, Barbados in another T20 World Cup – on Saturday!
Australia likely XI
Batters – Travis Head, Tim David
All-Rounders – Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh
Wicketkeeper – Matthew Wade
Bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa
England likely XI
Batters – Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook
All-Rounders – Mooen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks
Wicketkeeper – Jos Buttler
Bowlers – Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Last Five Matches
| Team | Form |
| Australia | L W W W W |
| England | W W L W W |
Despite a wobble with the bat, Australia avoided mishap against Oman earlier in the week, the experience of David Warner and Marcus Stoinis shining through in difficult batting conditions. Surfaces in the Caribbean – – have already had teams scratching their heads; rather than the “slug-fest” England had prepared for, following a high-scoring tour of the Caribbean in December, it looks as if boxing smart may be the way to go.
Speaking of Warner, this could be the last time he faces up against England in national colours – and another match-winning contribution would likely reduce the chances of them meeting again in the knockouts. On the other side of the card is Jofra Archer, and ready to take on Australia for the first time in any format since 2020. Can Mark Wood fire up England’s campaign, as he did Will Pat Cummins be back to harass the old enemy once again? Seconds out, it’s almost time to rumble.
Form guide
Australia WWWWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
England WWLWW
In the spotlight – Glenn Maxwell and Jos Buttler
Since smashing 120 not out from 55 balls against West Indies in February, has been on a truly shocking run. In 14 T20 innings for Australia and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has scored 115 at an average of 8.21, with five ducks – his last two knocks have each lasted just one ball. His recent T20I record against England is no better, with five single-figure scores in six dating back to 2020. Australia won’t be losing faith yet, though. “We know that Maxi’s going to win us games,” Marsh said in his pre-match press conference. Who would bet against him finding his touch on Saturday?
J led England to their second T20 title in his first major assignment after taking the reins from Eoin Morgan in the summer of 2022, but things have not gone quite so smoothly since then. Questions mounted about England’s leadership – for both Buttler as captain and the coach, Matthew Mott – after their early exit at the 50-over World Cup, and Buttler has seemed increasingly tetchy in recent times when asked to address the team’s failures. His batting form has been good,