Renewing cricket rivalry from today

Denied a Twenty20 World Cup this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, cricket fans might have the next best thing in the upcoming days.

A series between England and Australia.

They are the top two teams in the T20 world rankings, Australia is No. 1, and their fierce sporting rivalry is deep-rooted. They also have some of the most explosive batsmen and fastest bowlers in world cricket.

What more could you ask for?

"I hope it's a preview for the final," Australia captain Aaron Finch said Thursday, referring to the next T20 World Cup that will now take place in India in October-November 2021.

"The England-Australia rivalry is always huge," he added, "regardless of who you are playing in front of and where you are playing. You could play in a street and it would still be there."

This three-match series is taking place at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting Friday, and will be special because it is being played without spectators in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.

Then again, that's nothing new particularly for the English, who have managed to fit in a full international summer of cricket in all formats against the West Indies, Ireland and Pakistan despite the pandemic.

Australia is the latest nation to fly to England and stay in what is termed a biosecure bubble, essentially meaning its players have done no more than practice and spend time in a hotel since they arrived 11 days ago.

After a few intra-squad matches, their players are itching for the real thing, something they haven't had since mid-March when the scheduled ODI series against New Zealand was abandoned.

"The way the players have hit the ground running has been really exciting," Finch said.