England and Australia’s T20 International at The Ageas Bowl on Thursday 29 August is a replay of the first ever T20I on English soil – a match that also counts as only the second fixture of its type ever played. On that occasion, in 2005, Kevin Pietersen scored 34 and took three catches to lead England to a 100-run thrashing of their antipodean counterparts and set the mood for an historic Ashes-winning Summer.
But this time around the Aussies will be coming to England full of confidence having made the Semi-Finals of the 2012 Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, falling just short of being the ones to steal England’s title in the process.
In seven meetings in total between the two sides things are absolutely even with three wins apiece and one “no result”.
The match could see returns to The Ageas Bowl for, amongst others, Aussie all-rounders Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell both of whom have lit up the ground during respective spells with Hampshire. Indeed, Watson is considered one of the finest players in this format in the world at present having starred with bat and ball in Sri Lanka.
Please note: this match will be preceded by a chance to see the two finalists from the most recent Womens' T20 World Cup Final in 2012. England and Australia face up to each other once again in a T20I double header with their male counterparts. Tickets will get supporters into both fixtures.
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