England vs Australia 2020, 2nd T20I: Match Prediction: Who will win the match?

Australia’s loss by a margin thinner than a wafer against England in the first T20I was flabbergasting in many ways. The match was the 1095th T20 International in the history of the game and only the 15th occasion of a team losing by a margin of 2 runs. The statistical astonishment and the incredible nail-bitingness of the game aside, the Aussies must be livid at themselves for letting it slip.

For 34 overs out of the total 40, they were right on top of England. And that is despite that they were coming after 5 months on a cricket field as compared to their opponents, who have played in plenty in the last couple of months. There was no rustiness in Australia whatsoever, at least for the Australian top-three. David Warner and Aaron Finch were scintillating and just fell short by 2 runs- much like their team- to complete a century stand. Steve Smith perished for 18 but stroke at 163.33 on the way.

Warner’s bellicose 58 around Finch’s 46 had set the tone just right. Though the Aussie David was not alone who shone. A certain Dawid (one spelled with a ‘w’) ensured through his 66 alongside Jos Buttler’s 44 to give Australia over 8 runs to chase every over. With 39 required off 36 and 9 wickets in hands, England must have thought the game was gone. Though Eoin Morgan did not. And through his belief and tactics, Morgan led Australia in a soup.

They lost wickets in bunches- four in a space of 14 deliveries- and in no time, Marcus Stoinis found himself chasing 15 off 6 to take his side across the line. Stoinis swung one hard against Tom Curran to get a six and leave nine needed from last four, but Curran- whose successive pinpoint yorkers choked Stoinis- had the last laugh.

The Australian collapse could largely be attributed to the failed middle-order that was exposed thoroughly. However, the fierceness of the English bowlers needs to be credited for that more than the Aussie’s negligence. Both the teams will have addressable issues in the second game but Australia will have slightly more to ponder.

Pitch and Conditions

The same strip will be used for the second game and it is expected to be drier as this being a day affair. The track was not a belter as was manifest during the middle-overs where both the teams found going hard. Of the 13 wickets that fell in the last game, 6 belonged to the spinners and as many to the fast ones. That tells that there are offerings for both.

Playing Combination

England

A change in the eleven looks unlikely after the show by England last time. The only area where they would want to improve is their bowling during the Powerplay where they allowed the opposition to almost run away with the game. The ploy of pairing Buttler and Bairstow seems to be working just fine.

With England picking both Banton and Malan in the last game, the problems for English management look solved, however, not as much for Banton- who has clearly voiced his dislike batting at any other position apart from the top. If at all England wants to make a change necessarily, one could come in the form of bringing in Curran for Curran: Sam in for Tom.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood bowled at some furious pace and there is no reason why that combination should change. Adil Rashid deserves a special mention for it was his successive blows in the 15th over that broke Australia’s back after a flying start. Additionally, it was Rashid’s doing that Tom Curran and Chris Jordan capitalized upon at the death to finish off things for England.

Predicted XI- Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Tom Banton, Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran/Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood

Australia

With the kind of reputation Warner and Finch have made, they are the easiest to choose always. Steven Smith- who slapped a couple of boundaries and a six- lost his wicket just when it started to look that he will take Australia home. Maxwell went for the glory shot and his dismissal was disappointing, more so because he did not pay heed to the situation around him.

With Smith just dismissed, he should have acted more responsibly. Speaking of responsibility, Maxwell was bang on with the ball. Stoinis was sluggish and failed to take his team across the line, whereas Carey never cared to contribute. Though a change only after one game looks improbable, Australia still have the luxury to choose from its 21-man squad.

They could bring in Matthew Wade in place of Carey, whereas after a forgettable outing for Adam Zampa, he could be seated to accommodate Nathan Lyon. Surprisingly, Mitchell Starc gave away 30 runs in a wicket-less spell of 3 overs and Pat Cummins only got one. Kane Richardson, however, was the pick with 2 for 13 in 3 overs.

Predicted XI- David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade/Alex Carey (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon/Adam Zampa

Probable Top Performers

Jos Buttler – England | David Warner – Australia

Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 6:45 PM (IST), 2:15 PM (Local).

TV– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Live Streaming– The match can be streamed online on Sony Liv and Airtel stream

The prediction is for Australia to win the match.