England vs Australia 2013: 1st T20I - England team preview

England cricketers in a nets session

So, there it is. England completed a 3-0 victory in the Investec Test series against Australia. They thoroughly dominated the series, and though Australia did have a go at them, they came out victors at crucial junctures.

The third and fourth Tests were pretty well fought by Australia, but England held their nerve and came up trumps.

The victory also meant that it was Alastair Cook‘s second Test series win at home as captain. Although he didn’t shine with the bat as the captain, his bowlers were instrumental in England clinching the Ashes.

For instance, Anderson’s late strike in the second innings of the first Test helped England post a thrilling 14-run win and Stuart Broad‘s astounding spell in the second innings of the fourth Test helped England to seal the deal against the Aussies. Broad would be hoping that his boys replicate the same performance in the two-match T20 series, which begins today.

The first T20 match is scheduled at Southampton. England have selected the squad depending on the performance of players in the Friends Life T20. Michael Carberry, who last played for England three years ago when he made his Test debut, has been selected for the T20 series against Australia.

He was in sublime for Hampshire, accumulating 502 runs at an average of 55.77. Ravi Bopara was also included for the T20 series as played well in the Friends Life T20.

England’s lower order is strengthened by the inclusion of Bopara. He’s an explosive player and is capable of attacking the opposition at any time. Another explosive player of note in the English side is Eoin Morgan who would be batting at No.5 in all probability. If these two players can rise to the occasion, then England would certainly have their noses ahead.

It will be interesting to see the opening pair for England in the first T20. Apart from the option in Carberry, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask Michael Lumb and Joe Root to open the batting for England. Michael Lumb has proven to be a great opener for Nottinghamsphire and has helped them to chase improbable targets.

On the contrary, Joe Root is not an attacking batsmen, and therefore the pair could be effective for England. Root can keep the score-board ticking and give the maximum strike to Michael Lumb. If they can provide a good start, then the job would be made easier for the two explosive players – Michael Carberry and Ravi Bopara.

England has also selected Luke Wright for the T20 series against Australia. But he may not be preferred for the first match because Michael Carberry and Ravi Bopara have performed better than Wright.It wouldn’t be a bad idea to leave Wright out for the first match.

With only eight international T20 matches before the Word T20 World Cup, this is the right time to give a chance to the deserving cricketers who have shone at the domestic level.

National selector Geoff Miller echoed the same feelings when he said, “With only eight international T20 matches until the World T20 next April this series is an important chance for players to show they are capable of performing well at this level.

“The two matches will also allow Ashley Giles and Stuart Broad an opportunity to look at a number of different options.”

England have not named a back-up seamer for the T20 series, which means there are not any fitness issues with the players. Only three seamers – Boyd Rankin, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn have been named for the T20 series.

The wicket at Southampton generally is a batsmen friendly wicket, but being a day/night match, some movement may be available for the bowlers. Therefore, Steve Finn and Stuart Broad will play an important role for England. They need to strike with the new-ball, or else, things could become tougher for England.

England have picked a decent squad for the T20 series. All the players have had a remarkable Friends Life T20 season. Now it’s up to them to reproduce the same kind of innings at the international level. If the top order batsmen fire, then England could fancy their chances.