Travis Head To Be Dismissed By Jofra Archer? Player Battles For ENG Vs AUS 2nd T20I

Travis Head might have a tough time against Archer [X]

After securing a phenomenal 28-run victory in the opening game, Australia are gearing up to face England in the penultimate affair of the ongoing three-match series at Sophia Gardens on Friday. Under Mitchell Marsh's astute leadership, the Aussies kickstarted the series with a bang, outclassing the hosts in the first T20I at The Rose Bowl. 

Travis Head's blistering half-century helped the visitors post a competitive 179-run total before a clinical collective effort by their bowlers bundled out the Englishmen for 151. Considering Australia have taken a one-nil lead in the series, England would be desperate to restore parity with a win in the second T20I. 

Besides the playing conditions, several on-field contests might be instrumental in determining the game's outcome. So, as the arch-rivals prepare to take on each other, let's analyse and find out three key player battles to watch out for in this match. 

Travis Head Vs Jofra Archer (in T20 Cricket)

Swashbuckling opening batter Travis Head was pivotal for Australia's astounding success in the first T20I, as he powered them to a defendable total. However, the experienced batter struggled a bit against England's new ball bowler Jofra Archer, who kept him at bay with his pacy thunderbolts. 

As Head doesn't move his feet much, Archer can be a serious threat to him, particularly in the first few overs. The English speedster has even dismissed him twice in the shortest format, building anticipation for a cracking contest in this affair. 

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Mitchell Marsh Vs Adil Rashid (in T20 Cricket)

Australia's T20I captain Mitchell Marsh endured a failure in the first T20I, as Adil Rashid castled him for two runs. Despite being an incredible power-hitter against raw pace, Marsh has historically been prone to quality leg spin throughout his career. 

His weakness against wrist spin was once again on display in the series opener, with Adil Rashid bamboozling him with a beauty. The ace leg-spinner has troubled Marsh time and again, getting him out thrice in 27 deliveries in the shortest format. So, given Rashid's prolific record against the Aussie skipper, Phil Salt might bring him as soon as Marsh enters the middle in the second T20I. 

Phil Salt Vs Adam Zampa (in T20 Cricket)

Phil Salt, who is leading England in Jos Buttler's absence, can be a game-changer with the bat if he gets going. Hailed for his scintillating stroke play, Salt could be a serious threat to the Aussie bowling attack, as he can torment the opposition with his clean hitting in the powerplay. 

However, Adam Zampa could be Australia's go-to man to dismiss Salt, as he has got him four times in T20 cricket. The wily leg spinner, who recently set The Hundred 2024 on fire with his stellar outings, can be Australia's game-changer in the middle overs. 

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