England skipper says Australia are favourites

CRICKET: Morgan has some big names back but T20 opponents may be too strong

Eoin Morgan is delighted to be able to select some of England’s World Cup winners again but feels Australia are favourites to win the white-ball series which starts today.

The first of three Twenty20 internationals takes place at the Ageas Bowl before both squads head to Emirates Old Trafford later this month for three one-dayers.

While England have welcomed back Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood after they were part of the biosecure Test bubble, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes remain absent.

It means Australia, number one in the T20 rankings, go into the series with the edge after bringing a group of 21 players for both formats.

Morgan said: “They have their strongest squad here so will probably be putting out their best XI.

“If you are to go on that, I’d say they are probably just favourites.

“For the first time this summer we are seeing the majority of our best team on the park and that’s great. Bar injury and absent players, which is only a couple, we are at full strength and that is a nice place to be every now and then.

“We don’t have to pick our best XI every series we play because we can’t put all our eggs in one basket. ”

England’s captain revealed Buttler would open alongside Jonny Bairstow, with Jason Roy still unavailable due to a side strain. He refused to confirm who out of Dawid Malan or Tom Banton would bat at three after the duo impressed in the drawn series with Pakistan. Morgan added: “Jos will open with Jonny. We will continue with this until we feel the need (to change) or that it’s not working.”

There is room for manoeuvre with Morgan discussing the need for England to “find a middle to lower-order batter that can come in and play in an aggressive manner from ball one” ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

He admitted that could be Buttler but stressed at the moment they are eager for the wicketkeeper to face as many balls as possible to increase his influence on proceedings.

Joe Root again missed the England squad in the sprint format but has been given the chance to boost his cause by playing for Yorkshire and David Willey is to join him in the White Rose team.

Seamer Archer could pull on England’s white-ball colours today, for the first time since he helped secure World Cup glory at Lord’s in 2019.

Due to increased Test commitments, the paceman has not played for his country in T20 or one-day cricket since the clash with New Zealand last July.

“It’s great to have him back,” Morgan said.

Picture: PA. England captain Eoin Morgan say Australia have their strongest squad on tour and will probably put out their best XI.