England and Australia Battle in T20I Opener with Key Players Missing

England and Australia Clash in T20I Opener Amidst Key Absences

England and Australia will face off in the first T20I of their three-match series in Southampton, with both teams missing several key players due to injuries and other commitments.

England, who are without captain Jos Buttler, will be led by explosive opener and keeper-batter Phil Salt. The hosts have named a youthful squad for the series, with batter Jordan Cox, 20-year-old allrounder Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton set to make their T20 international debuts.

Australia, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of senior pacer Josh Hazlewood, who sat out during last week's series sweep of Scotland. The visitors will also be without captain Aaron Finch, who is recovering from a knee injury.

The match will be a crucial test for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. England will be looking to build on their recent success in the format, while Australia will be eager to prove their credentials as one of the favorites for the tournament.

Key Players to Watch:

* Phil Salt (England): The explosive opener will be looking to make a statement in his first match as captain.

* Josh Hazlewood (Australia): The experienced pacer will be key to Australia's bowling attack.

* Jordan Cox (England): The young batter will be hoping to impress on his international debut.

* Jacob Bethell (England): The allrounder will be looking to contribute with both bat and ball.

* Mitchell Marsh (Australia): The allrounder will be a key figure in Australia's middle order.

Tags: #ENGvAUS, #T20I, #PhilSalt, #JoshHazlewood, #T20WorldCup