Welcome to live coverage of the third and final T20 between Australia and England from Manuka Oval in Canberra. First ball: 7:10pm AEDT.
Aaron Finch admitted Australia “probably” had selected the team they would take into their World Cup opener against New Zealand when they played England on Wednesday.
Unfortunately for Finch and his men, Australia lost by eight runs and questions are being asked whether it is the best XI.
LIVE MATCH CENTRE: CLICK HERE
Finch struggled on his way to 13 while Glenn Maxwell once again fell for a single-figure score – his sixth score of less than 10.
Maxwell’s all-round ability means he a certainty for the World Cup, but given the struggles Finch has experienced at the top of the order, Australia will desperately want both men to find some touch.
Catch the T20 World Cup Live on Kayo. Don’t Risk Missing All Your Teams’ Matches. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Following David Warner’s hevay fall in the field, Australia is expected to make only minor changes to their side for the final match against England.
His absence will likely see Steve Smith, who is desperately short of a hit but Michael Clarke believes is a must, return to the side.
On Wednesday, former star turned selector Mark Waugh said Maxwell’s form was a “real worry” and said the all-rounder was “maybe not a lock”.
Gun bowler Josh Hazlewood backed Maxwell to return to form encouraged his teammate to continue playing instinctively.
“You don’t want him going away from his natural instinct either,” Hazlewood said on Thursday.
“He’s the sort of a player that just reacts to what’s coming and plays his game and that’s the one thing you want from Glenn all the time.
“Having that depth of batters, I think adds to that; he can just go out and play his game, whether it’s in the first six overs or outside that against spin, where he’s in particular pretty destructive.
“So I think he just (needs a) free mindset and (to) play his game.”
READ MORE
T20 WC GUIDE: Kohli U-turn spells trouble; Poms’ great risk as Aussie wildcard adds ominous threat
‘Not a lock in the team’ – Australia’s glaring World Cup problem as Finch, Maxi fail AGAIN
Leadership: Big win for ‘Warner clause’ as CA board endorses key change that may end leadership ban
Australia v England 2nd T20I highlights | 06:53
Australia XI (predicted): Aaron Finch (c), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
England XI (predicted): Jos Buttler (c), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
First T20: England won by eight runs
Second T20: England won by eight runs
Third T20, Friday Oct 14: Manuka Oval, Canberra 7:10pm AEDT
