Picking a combined Australia-England playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024 ft. Jos Buttler, Mitchell Starc
Ashes rivals Australia and England will clash in match number 17 of the ICC Men's 2024 T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 8. This will be the second match for both teams in Group B.
Australia got the better of a spirited Oman by 39 runs in their first match of the tournament in Barbados. Sent into bat by Oman, the Aussies put up 164-5 on the board in their 20 overs and then held the opposition to 125-9. England's opening match against Scotland, which was also played in Barbados, produced no result. The Scots, however, dominated proceedings, reaching 90-0 in 10 overs.
Looking at the history of Australia vs England matches in the Men's T20 World Cup, the teams have clashed three times, with Australia winning one game and England two. As the old rivals prepare for their latest face-off, we pick a combined Australia-England playing 11 for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Openers: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Travis Head
England skipper Jos Buttler would partner Australia's explosive left-handed opener Travis Head at the top of the order. Both batters played some stunning knocks in IPL 2024 for their respective franchises.
Buttler scored 84 off 51 balls in the second T20I against Pakistan in Birmingham last month. In contrast, Head had had a torrid time with the bat of late, which saw him register three ducks in four innings in the IPL. However, he will be backed to come good soon. It is no secret how destructive he can be at his best.
Middle-order & All-rounders: Will Jacks, Marcus Stoinis, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone
England's big-hitter Will Jacks demonstrated during the IPL why he is rated so highly as a T20 player. His 100* off 41 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT), featuring five fours and 10 sixes, was an exceptional effort. The right-hander got starts in the T20I series against England, but could not convert them. Jacks will be raring to make a big impact against Australia.
Marcus Stoinis had an exceptional all-round game against Oman in Australia's opening 2024 T20 World Cup match. He hammered 67* off 36 balls and claimed 3-19 with his medium pace. With Glenn Maxwell low on confidence, the Aussies will depend on him to deliver the goods in the all-round department.
Given his vast experience and attacking skills, Jonny Bairstow could be used as a floater in the combined Australia-England playing XI. The right-handed batter scored a sensational 108* off 48 balls for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against eventual winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024. He would look to come up with similar performances in the T20 World Cup.
The versatile Liam Livingstone can contribute with bat and ball. He has the big-hitting skills to single-handedly turn any T20 game on its head, though his consistency has been a bit of a concern. He is also a handy bowler, who can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin and pick up key wickets.
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, Adam Zampa, Adil Rashid, Nathan Ellis
Australia's bowling star in the 2023 ODI World Cup and IPL 2024, Mitchell Starc would be one of the three frontline pacers in the combined Australia-England XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The left-arm pacer looked in good rhythm against Oman as well, claiming 2-20 in three overs.
England speedster Jofra Archer would partner Starc in the combined World Cup XI. The right-arm pacer, who made a comeback to international cricket during the T20I series against Pakistan, did a decent job, claiming 2-28 and 1-31. England would be hopeful that he will be potent with the ball in the T20 World Cup.
Australia's Nathan Ellis is an underrated pacer in the T20 format but is one who is highly effective. He claimed 2-28 against Oman in his four overs. In 15 T20Is, the 29-year-old has 26 scalps at an average of 16.76 and an economy rate of 7.92.
The seasoned leg-spin duo of Adam Zampa and Adil Rashid would be the slow bowlers in the Australia-England combined XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both players are high-quality spinners. Australia's Zampa has 94 scalps in 81 T20Is at an average of 22.40 and an economy rate of 7.26. England's Rashid has picked up 110 scalps in 107 T20Is, averaging 25.23 at an economy rate of 7.41.