England vs Australia: 3 key youngsters to look forward to in the T20I series

A new-look Australia cricket team captained by Mitchell Marsh has arrived in England for a three-match T20I series starting from September 11.

The Aussies completed a 3-0 whitewash against Scotland last week in what seemed to be a fairly easy assignment. However, they now face stronger opponents in England, so fans are in for a close contest between the two heavyweights of the game.

England are led by a new skipper, Phil Salt, as Jos Buttler was ruled out earlier due to injury. The team looks different from the one that played in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, which India won.

Let us look at three key youngsters who will look to make an impact in the England vs Australia T20Is and cement their places in the playing XI.

#1 Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)

Jake Fraser-McGurk announced himself on the big stage with explosive knocks in IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals, scoring 330 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 234.

However, the 22-year old hasn't been able to follow up his IPL performances in MLC 2024, scoring only 81 runs in seven matches. Against Scotland, he scored 16 runs in thtee matches while playing for Australia and looked completely out of place.

However, Marsh and co. have shown immense trust in the youngster, so Fraser-McGurk will look to bounce back and cement his place as an opener for Australia with David Warner now retired.

#2 Will Jacks (England)

The 25-year old stylish all-rounder from Surrey already a big name in the shortest format of the game.

He had a breakthrough IPL 2024 season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In eight matches, he had a strike rate of 175.6 and an average of 32.85. He also scored a magnificent 41-ball century against Gujarat Titans.

Earlier this year, Jacks scored a hundred in SA20 league for Pretoria Capitals and also scored a ton in BPL.

Jacks also helped Oval Invincibles defend their title in The Hundred this year with his all-round performance in the final. Without the likes of Buttler, Bairstow and Malan, a lot of focus will be on Jacks to take England home in the upcoming series.

#3 Aaron Hardie (Australia)

Aaron Hardie is a 25-year old all-rounder who made a name for himself with key performances for Perth Scorchers in Big Bash League.

He had a stellar season for the Scorchers, scoring 334 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 128. He was picked by Texas Super Kings in MLC 2024, where he made crucial 147 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 135. He is a pretty handy medium pacer too, chipping in with key wickets.

While he hasn't got enough opportunities to showcase his power hitting against the West indies and Scotland, Hardie will look to make the England T20Is as his audition to cement the fast bowling all-rounder position for Australia in T20Is.