Saturday, August 29, 2009

England primed for Twenty20 test

First Twenty20 international, Old Trafford: England v Australia
Date: Sunday, 30 August Start: 1430 BST
Coverage: Live Test Match Special commentary (from 1400 BST on BBC Radio 4 LW, 5 Live sports extra, the Red Button and BBC Sport website. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports.

Dirk Nannes in action for the Netherlands
Dirk Nannes played for the Netherlands in the World Twenty20

England renew rivalry with Australia following their Ashes triumph when the teams play the first of two Twenty20 matches at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Six of England's 14-man squad featured in the series-clinching Ashes win at The Oval last weekend, including skipper Paul Collingwood.

Kent's Joe Denly looks set to keep his place after his 67 helped England to a three-run win over Ireland in midweek.

Australia will be captained by Michael Clarke, with Ricky Ponting rested.

The tourists could give fast bowler Dirk Nannes only his second international start in an Australia shirt.

The 33-year-old was part of the Netherlands side that handed England a last-ball, four-wicket defeat at Lord's in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 in June.

The left-armer has a Dutch passport through parentage, but was born and raised in Victoria, for whom he became the leading wicket-taker in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition with 24 dismissals at a very healthy 13.08.

He was cleared to play for his native Australia by the International Cricket Council because the Netherlands only have associate membership.

My aim is to play for England, as many games as I can

England opener Joe Denly

And Nannes enhanced his case for selection with 1-20 from seven overs as Australia strolled to a resounding 189-run win over Scotland in a 50-over game Edinburgh on Friday.

"I know if I am bowling at my best in Twenty20 then I can play for any country in the world," he said. "I think I've almost proved that!"

Asked about his experience of the Netherlands' famous victory at Lord's, Nannes said: "I think England's mindset is going to be a lot different to when they played the Dutch.

"I think they went in a bit conservative, I don't think they can do that in a game like this. I just think it's going to be a good, hard cricket match."

Denly's performance at Stormont, meanwhile, was one of few highlights of a nervous performance by England.

With a bowler-friendly pitch and helpful overhead conditions to contend with, Denly guided England from a precarious 6-2 to 135-6 before he was dismissed following a watchful 111-ball innings.

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And the 23-year-old believes playing for Kent in Twenty20 cricket has given him sufficient experience to handle the step up to international cricket.

"Kent played in the last three finals days, in front of big crowds and with pressure moments - so it stands me in good stead for international cricket," he said.

"The experience of packed houses I can play back and take into the games, although it's obviously a big step up.

"My aim is to play for England, as many games as I can - and the more you play the more experience you get at playing against the top bowlers in the world."

The second Twenty20 match takes place at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

England (from): Paul Collingwood (captain), Ravi Bopara, Joe Denly, Matt Prior (wk), Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson.

Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Tim Paine (wk), Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

ะพ 3:57 AM

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