Event of the Day: England versus Australia
Our event of the day is the International T20 cricket match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham. England have just completed a 5-0 whitewash of the Australians in their One Day International series and will be hoping to carry that form into this T20 match. However, the T20 form of the two sides should give Australia some hope as they have won their last five T20 matches, two of which were against England. In stark contrast, England have won only one of their last five T20 encounters. Indeed, the T20 format should favour the Australians who are ranked as the 2nd best T20 in the world, whereas England lie in 5th.
Australia will be hoping to salvage something from their tour following their woeful performance in the ODI series. Australia have brought in some new blood for the T20 match with batting talent, Nic Maddinson and all rounder Jack Wildermuth joining the squad. Australia’s T20 captain, Aaron Finch will be hoping that he can lead his men to a win as the Australians continue their attempts to replace Pakistan at the top of the world rankings. However, it could prove difficult as they face an England side high in confidence. An impressive Jos Buttler, who hit an unbeaten 110 against the Aussies in the Fifth ODI Test and captain Eoin Morgan pose a real threat and could deliver another English victory. Can England complete an ODI and T20 whitewash or will Australia be able to leave England with a T20 victory? These questions will be answered today at Edgbaston.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Day 14 of the FIFA World Cup as Groups E and F come to a dramatic climax. Group E involves Serbia taking on Brazil in the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow and Switzerland facing Costa Rica at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod. Serbia, Brazil and Switzerland can all still progress to the last 16 with wins so expect an exciting finish to Group E as the sides battle it out. Group F sees South Korea against Germany in the Kazan Arena in Kazan and Mexico versus Sweden at the Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg. All four teams could still qualify with the right permutation of results, but all eyes will be on Germany to see if the reigning champions can escape the Group of Death. In Cricket, Ireland will take on India in a T20 cricket match at The Village in Dublin. In MLB, the Boston Red Sox face the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. In tennis, it is Day 4 at the Nature Valley International at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne. It is also Day 4 of the Antalya Open on the ATP tour, taking place in the Kaya Palazzo Belek in Antalya.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by England Cricket and Cricket Australia