Travis Head will lead Australia for the first time in Friday’s second T20 international against England in Cardiff, as Mitchell Marsh is unwell. Head, who has captained South Australia, Adelaide Strikers, and Australia A, will face the first ball on his captaincy debut after England chose to bowl first on a sunny evening at Sophia Gardens.
Australia made two other changes, with Xavier Bartlett absent due to a side strain and Josh Hazlewood rested. Jake Fraser-McGurk, who made 0, 16, and 0 in his first three T20Is in Scotland, replaces Marsh at No. 3. Australia’s batting depth is impressive, with Cooper Connolly carded to come in at No. 9 and Sean Abbott, who hit a century for Surrey in the T20 Blast last season, due in as low as No. 10.
England, captained by Phil Salt, the third Welshman to lead the team, made a single change, with Brydon Carse making his first international appearance of 2024. Carse replaces Jofra Archer, who was rested despite England’s need to win to seal the series. Liam Livingstone wins his 50th T20I cap, seven years after making his debut at Taunton.
England: 1 Phil Salt (capt/wk), 2 Will Jacks, 3 Jordan Cox, 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jacob Bethell, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Jamie Overton, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Reece Topley.
Australia: 1 Travis Head (capt), 2 Matt Short, 3 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Cameron Green, 8 Aaron Hardie, 9 Cooper Connolly, 10 Sean Abbott, 11 Adam Zampa.
