The Adelaide Oval is one of the most spectacular cricket grounds in the world, but the South Australian weather did not co-operate on Saturday with the second T20 rained off and England’s hopes of getting on the board dashed. Will they be able to secure their first points of the series? Read on for our full Australia vs England third WT20 preview and prediction?
Australia vs England Third WT20 Preview and Prediction
Series So Far
England got off to a solid start in the first match of the series, with Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt combining for an opening stand of 82 before Beaumont fell caught and bowled to Alana King. Wyatt rebuilt with Nat Sciver, but when both were out to Tahlia McGrath in the 17th over, the English innings lost its momentum and they were ultimately restricted to a score of 169. That was far from disastrous, especially by the standards of recent Ashes cricket for England, but it also was not enough.
Spearheaded by a quickfire 91 from McGrath, in at number three, Australia bounced back from the early loss of Alyssa Healy to chase down the target in only 17 overs and with nine wickets still in hand. The second T20 was then only 25 balls old when rain struck and no further play was possible. Somewhat concerningly for England, however, was Beaumont’s start with the opener looking almost stuck on six runs from 14 balls.
Expected Teams
Beth Mooney has returned to the nets after surgery for her broken jaw, but this match at least will be too soon for the opener. Expect Australia to stick with the opening combination of Meg Lanning and Healy as a result. McGrath will once again slot in at number three with Rachael Haynes in at four and the all-rounders Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris at five and six. Nicola Carey, Jess Jonassen, Alana King and Megan Schutt will comprise the bowling contingent. With Tayla Vlaeminck struggling with a foot injury, Darcie Brown should keep her place.
Do not expect England to ring in the changes either. Wyatt and Beaumont will open the batting, with Sciver, Heather Knight and keeper Amy Jones the middle order. All-rounders Sophia Dunkley, Charlie Dean – in for the injured Maia Bouchier – and Katherine Brunt will hope to contribute with the ball and the bat if called upon. The bowling attack will be rounded out by Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Freya Davies, who should all be fresh after what amounted to a day off.
Prediction
If the English men’s Test team were rather like lambs to the slaughter in Australia, the women’s side has a far better chance of competing. But they are still underdogs against what remains probably the best team in women’s cricket. As a result, England will need most things, if not everything, to go right if they are to win this. That could happen, stranger things certainly have, but it does not look like the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Australia win.
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