England’s T20I series against Australia ended as a draw after the series finale was washed out in Manchester. Here’s how England’s players fared across the opening two fixtures.
Phil Salt: 7/10
39 runs @ 29.50; SR: 168.57
A creditable first outing as England captain for Salt who was filling in for his opening partner, Jos Buttler. He started briskly in both games without quite converting them into match-defining performances. Still though, he looks at home in international cricket.
Will Jacks: 2/10
18 runs @ 9.00; SR: 105.88
For a while, Jacks has jostled for Salt in the broader landscape of opportunities at the top of England’s white-ball batting orders. At this point at least, Salt has clearly established himself as a nailed on first team regular while Jacks is yet to rid himself of his status as a fringe player. The Surrey opener is yet to pass 40 in 17 opportunities in T20I cricket.
Jordan Cox: 4/10
17 runs @ 8.50; SR: 121.42
A quiet start to international cricket for Cox. He showed glimpses of his array of strokes on debut but fell for a duck in England’s Cardiff win.
Liam Livingstone: 9/10
124 runs @ 62; SR: 167.56
Five wickets @ 7.60; ER: 6.33
An outstanding series for Livingstone who thrived with the additional responsibility on his shoulders at No. 4. Took England over the line alongside Bethell at Cardiff in arguably his most mature innings for his country yet. He was similarly as effective with the ball; his concoction of variations is increasingly valuable to this England bowling attack.
Jacob Bethell: 7/10
46 runs @ 23; SR: 153.33
No wickets; ER: 9.33
Bethell’s takedown of Adam Zampa in Cardiff was perhaps the moment of the series. A precocious 20-year-old targeting one of the leading white-ball spinners on the planet, a tantalising glimpse to what the future may hold for the Warwickshire batting all-rounder.
Sam Curran: 3/10
19 runs @ 9.50; SR: 111.76
Two wickets @ 36; ER: 14.40
Curran was unable to convert his outstanding domestic form into international success. Despite thriving higher up the order for both Surrey and the Oval Invincibles, he was once again carded to bat in the lower middle order where his returns were once again disappointing. Travis Head hit him for 30 runs in one powerplay over at the Utilita Bowl – the low point in a difficult couple of games.
Jamie Overton: 5/10
19 runs @ 19; ER: 146.15
Two games is far too small a sample size to judge someone whose role can be so unstable, that of a specialist hitter at No. 7. It’s a position that he perhaps suits better than his Surrey teammate, Curran, who he may be up against for a spot in the team when England have all their first choice players back and available in T20Is.
Adil Rashid: 7/10
Two wickets @ 29; ER: 7.25
Exactly what we’ve come to expect from England’s stalwart leggie. Had the ball on a string in Southampton and negotiated the short straight boundaries well in Cardiff.
Jofra Archer: 7/10
Two wickets @ 15.50; ER: 8.85
Archer running in at full pace in an England shirt remains a sight to behold. He bowled with venom in his sole appearance in the series opener.
Brydon Carse: 8/10
Two wickets @ 13; ER: 6.50
Expect Carse to play an increasingly prominent role in all three formats over the coming months. Like Archer, Carse hit impressive speeds in his sole outing of the series.
Reece Topley: 3/10
No wickets; ER: 13.75
A less successful series for Topley who, like Curran, went at well over two runs a ball.
Saqib Mahmood: 6/10
Two wickets @ 29; ER: 9.66
Thrilling at Southampton, expensive at Cardiff – a mixed, but welcome return to England action for Saqib Mahmood.
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