England look to make a statement in big Australia fixture
With England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opener ending in a no result, head coach Matthew Mott has his eyes set upon their next fixture against arch-rivals Australia.
England’s opening game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Scotland got washed out after a 10-over first innings.
England would’ve preferred a perfect start to their tournament but had to contend with sharing points with Scotland. Namibia are placed at the top of the group with two points, following their Super Over heist against Oman, with England and Scotland in joint-second place.
This heightens the importance of their clash against old rivals Australia, with white-ball head coach Matthew Mott expecting a riveting showdown in Barbados on June 8.
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“I definitely think Australia is a big game but it's our next game [after the no result] and that's why it's a big game and then depending on how we go there, we reset and go again,” Mott said in the press conference after their game against Scotland.
“I'm sure, if the weather allows us, I think it'll be a fantastic contest between two very good teams.”
The defending ICC Men’s T20 World Champions are almost equal in head-to-head against Australia in format, with 11 wins and 10 losses out of 23 games.
Mott is confident that his team can produce a strong performance against the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champions, whom they beat in the Final of the 2010 Men’s T20 World Cup.
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With strong faith in his express pacers and dynamic batting order that goes deep, the 50-year-old expected England to hold up well against Australia.
“Yeah, we're looking to do that [make a statement], definitely. I think we showed that [against Scotland as well].
“I think, you know, Mark Wood steaming in their first over, I think it's exciting. Him and Jofra [Archer] together is something that we’ve not been able to have for a while.”
“We were really keen to make a statement there. But you know, equally, I think we bat deep, we've got good options around there.
“So, we match up really well against Australia and whatever the result of this game was, it was going to be a big game the next one and we're looking forward to it, really looking forward to it.”