England start new white-ball era against old rivals Australia

Fixtures: Ageas Bowl | Sophia Gardens | Emirates Old Trafford | Trent Bridge | Headingley | Riverside | Lord’s | Seat Unique Stadium

We’ve enjoyed a thrilling summer of cricket and while the sunshine is slowly waving goodbye for another year, there’s still plenty more action to look forward to.

Domestically, The Hundred and the T20 Blast have been keeping fans entertained, while England have been strutting their stuff in Test match series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

The international cricket continues next week as England take on old rivals Australia in a white-ball series, with three T20 matches and five ODIs to look forward to. Both sides are entering new eras, with plenty of changes both on and off the pitch – here’s everything you need to know.

Out with the old, in with the new

The upcoming white-ball series sees England heading in a fresh direction. After two years in charge, Matthew Mott has left as head coach, with former England opener Marcus Trescothick taking temporary charge. Test coach Brendon McCullum is set to take permanent charge from January, taking dual charge of all formats.

Mott guided England to T20 World Cup glory back in 2022, beating Pakistan in the final, but after a disappointing ODI World Cup defence last autumn and a semi-final defeat in this year’s T20 edition, the time has come for somebody else to lead the way.

Alongside chief selector Luke Wright, Trescothick has wasted no time in shaping up the squad for the games against Australia. England’s Test side has been revolutionised in recent years under McCullum and with the white-ball equivalent under performing, perhaps radical change will breathe new life into them.

Jonny Bairstow has been left out of both squads, raising questions about the future of his England career, while Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket. And while the squad is still packed with experience, including Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, there will be plenty of opportunities for youngsters to prove their worth.

England have called up five uncapped players in the form of Jacob Bethell, Dan Mousley, Jordan Cox, John Turner and Josh Hull. Meanwhile, Surrey pair Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson are also included and they’ll be hoping their red-ball form can translate after starring for England’s Test side this summer.

Despite being selected, Buttler is set to miss the T20 series with a calf injury, with his participation in the ODIs also in jeopardy. The white-ball captain hasn’t played since England’s semi-final defeat to India and Salt will skipper the side in his place.

Can England beat old rivals Australia?

England and Australia enjoy one of the oldest rivalries in world sport and both sides will be desperate to come out on top in the white-ball series. The Aussies won when the pair met in the group stages of the World Cup earlier this summer, although they were ultimately knocked out in the Super 8 round.

They’ve fared better playing 50-ball cricket and they’re the reigning ODI World Cup champions after beating India by six wickets in last year’s final. But their squad looks different this time around as, much like England, they’re looking towards the future.

Cooper Connolly has been drafted into the squad for the first time and there are hopes that he could be the next star of Australian cricket. Jake Fraser-McGurk also boasts a lot of potential, although he was out for a duck in his recent debut.

England’s old nemesis David Warner has retired, while Pat Cummins has been rested for the tour. Ashton Agar and Matthew Wade also miss out, while Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will join the squad for the ODI series.

Mitchell Marsh will captain the visitors for the tour and their squad is still packed with stars, including Adam Zampa, who took 23 wickets and was in the team of the tournament in Australia’s World Cup win.

England will be looking to change their luck against their rivals in this series. It’s been four years since they beat Australia in an ODI, with their last win coming in Manchester in September 2020. On the contrary, however, Australia have won just two of their last nine T20 meetings with England.

The Aussies warmed up for the series with three T20 clashes against Scotland and they obliterated them in the opener. The hosts had no answer as they lost by seven wickets, with Travis Head scoring a remarkable 80 off 25 balls.

And they didn’t take their foot off the gas in the next games either. An impressive 103 from Josh Inglis secured a 70-run win in the second match before Cameron Green stole the show in the final encounter, taking three wickets before hitting an unbeaten 62.

England v Australia fixtures

With three T20 matches and five One Day Internationals to enjoy over the coming weeks, you’ve got plenty of chances to see England’s new-look white-ball side in action.

If you want to see the matches from the best seats in the house, why not take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages. Enquire today to book your place.

T20 matches

Wednesday 11th September – Ageas Bowl

Friday 13th September – Sophia Gardens

Sunday 15th September – Old Trafford

ODI matches

Thursday 19th September – Trent Bridge

Saturday 21st September – Headingley

Tuesday 24th September – Riverside

Friday 27th September – Lord’s

Sunday 29th September – Seat Unique Stadium

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