WHO: Australia against England
What: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Group B match
When: Saturday June 8, 1 p.m. local time (17:00 GMT)
Or: Kensington OvalBridgetown, Barbados
How to follow: Al Jazeera will broadcast the match live from 2:00 p.m. GMT.
After rain played a spoilsport role in their T20 World Cup opener, defending champions England will be under pressure to seek a victory against rivals Australia when they meet for their all-important Group B match at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
England and Scotland shared a point each after their match failed at the same venue on Tuesday. Jos Buttler’s side, aiming to become the first team to retain the trophy, looked below their best, allowing the Scots to make it 90-0 in 10 overs.
England are fourth in Group B with one point, while Australia are second with two points after beating Oman in their opening match. The group is led by Scotland, who have three points from two matches, while Namibia are third with two points from two matches and Oman sit bottom of the table after losing two matches.
A defeat against ODI world champions Australia on Saturday could put England’s Super Eight qualification in jeopardy, but batter Jonny Bairstow does not want the permutations to affect him.
“It’s not going to derail us one way or the other,” Bairstow told reporters Friday. “We know we have to win more matches than we lose in tournament cricket, that’s just part of it.
“A win puts you in a position in the group, but ultimately the other two games (against Oman and Namibia) are must-win games anyway.
“It will be good for momentum and confidence (to beat Australia),” he added.
Bairstow described the competition between the Ashes rivals as “a great spectacle”.
“Guys have been playing against each other for a long time now, which in many ways is really exciting because you know each other’s games,” he said. “I hope it will be a fantastic atmosphere, as it always is in Barbados.”
Australia ‘excited’ for England clash
Australia got off to a rocky start to their match against Oman before all-rounder Marcus Stoinis shone with both bat and ball as they registered a comfortable 39-run victory.
Captain Mitchell Marsh said his team had felt a little nervous going into that match but were happy with the victory and were looking forward to Saturday’s clash against familiar opponents England.
Marsh expects England fans to outnumber Australians for the game in Barbados, joking the atmosphere would be the same as at Headingley in Leeds.
“I dare say it will be sold out and there will be mainly English fans, so it will be like playing Headingly everywhere or anywhere in England where you get sprayed,” Marsh said. “But just the atmosphere, the vibe of the game, there’s always a lot that depends on that. And I think as a team we always want to challenge ourselves against the best.
“England have been exceptional in this format for a long time now, so there’s definitely going to be a lot to play for and we’re excited.”
Face-to-face
Australia and England have played 23 T20 international matches, with England winning 11 matches, Australia 10 and two matches ending without a result.
Form Guide
Australia began their campaign with a victory against Oman. Before the tournament, they played two series in February, celebrating a 3-0 series win over trans-Tasman neighbors New Zealand and a 2-1 series win over the West Indies.
England’s first World Cup match against Scotland ended without a result after rain destroyed the competition. Before the tournament, England won 2-0 in a four-match series against rain-affected Pakistan.
Australia: WWWWL
England: WWLWW
Location and weather conditions
Kensington Oval has hosted four matches, all producing varied results. The first match was a low scoring match, the second was called off, while the third and fourth matches saw goals in the range of 155-165.
Saturday’s match, which will start in the afternoon, will be played on a new surface. Rain is forecast in the morning and around game time.
Australian team news
Pat Cummins will return for this match after being rested against Oman. Mitchell Starc, who left the field in the last match due to cramps, is expected to be fit.
Both players had a long stint in the Indian Premier League and played in the final on May 26.
Team: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis.
England team news
England have no injury problems.
Team: Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
