England vs. Australia T20s: 5 Players Set to Impress in Hampshire

England begin their Twenty20 International series against Australia Thursday evening with a much-changed squad at their disposal.

With just three players available who played in the recent Test series, the opportunities are there for some fringe players to stake their claims for a regular place in the team.

With that in mind, let’s have a look at five who will be looking to take advantage and showcase their skills.

Michael Carberry

After his superb form in this year’s Friends Life T20 competition as well as for the second-string England Lions, opener Michael Carberry has forced his way into the squad through sheer weight of runs, per ESPNCricinfo.

The man who made his Test debut in 2010 against Bangladesh looks set to have at least one chance to impress against the Australians at the top of England’s batting order.

With fellow opener Michael Lumb having passed 50 just twice in his 16 T20 Internationals, per ESPNCricinfo, Carberry is in such good form he can take advantage.

Jos Buttler

England’s limited-overs wicket keeper of choice at present is Somerset’s Jos Buttler, an explosive batsman who has yet to truly find his feet in international cricket.

Against New Zealand earlier this year, Buttler’s superb 54 from 30 balls showcased his considerable abilities in testing day/night conditions.

And with no other competitor for his place behind the stumps in this series, he will hope to find some consistency and translate his impressive showings for Somerset onto the international stage.

James Tredwell

Stepping out of the shadows of the rested Graeme Swann, off-spinner James Tredwell has another chance to reinforce his position as England’s second spinner.

With Simon Kerrigan’s struggles in his Test debut against the Australians, Tredwell will hope he can force his way into the reckoning for the next Ashes squad with good performances in the limited-overs formats.

Tredwell assumes the role of senior spinner in the squad over the 22-year-old Danny Briggs and will want to continue his good form from earlier this season to maintain his position.

Luke Wright

Another player who has achieved international recognition in the past and forced his way back in is Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright.

Having played 90 times in One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals for England since his debut in 2007, Wright has since struggled to maintain his consistency.

However, after captaining the England Lions to a series win over Bangladesh A and making significant contributions with bat and ball, per ESPNCricinfo, he will want his good form to carry over into this series.

Steven Finn

Dropped after the first Ashes test, fast bowler Steven Finn is back in the England reckoning and joins captain Stuart Broad as one of the team’s more senior seamers.

Still just 24 years old, he still has plenty of time to sort out the consistency issues that dogged him against the Australians, and this series represents a perfect opportunity to do so.

The onus will be on Finn to provide leadership with the new ball, and he will be desperate to stamp his authority on international cricket.