England and Australia started their final phase of preparation for the 2022 T20 World Cup as they played each other in a three-match T20I series. The first game of which took place on Sunday (October 9) at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Indian T20 World Cup squad was in attendance at the venue to watch the game. The Men in Blue are in the city after arriving in Australia earlier this week in order to prepare for the marquee event. The Rohit Sharma-led side is holding a preparatory camp at the iconic WACA stadium. They will also play two practice games against a Western Australia XI team on October 10 and 13.
Following which, the 2007 champions will fly to Brisbane to play the two ICC warm-up matches. India will play Australia on October 17 and then play New Zealand on October 19 at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane.
Ravichandran Ashwin shared images of the Indian team in attendance for the opening T20I between England and Australia in Perth. Ashwin’s Instagram story showed Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Dinesh Karthik sitting with him in the stands.
Talking about the match, England skipper Jos Buttler produced a sensational knock of 68 in 32 balls as part of a massive 132-run opening stand with Alex Hales. Hales continued his impressive return to international cricket with a 51-ball 84. The visitors ended the innings with a score of 208.
Australia gave a strong reply to England’s big total with David Warner playing a flamboyant knock of 73 in 44 balls. Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stonis gave him solid support with knocks of 35 and 36 respectively. However, Australia fell short and the Buttler-led team held their nerve to register an 8-run win.
While one Indian team is in Australia, the other is facing South Africa under the captaincy of Shikhar Dhawan in an ODI series at home.
