Old Trafford in Manchester will host Australia and England for the first of the two T20Is, a game which will signal the start of the second leg of competition between the two sides. This will include seven ODIs apart from the two T20Is.

As a prelude to the game, and the rest of the tour, both the sides have played a warm-up ODI each, against Ireland and Scotland. While England was stretched to the limit by the Irish, Australia gave a good display of how to brush aside nagging pests, by winning their game against Scotland by 189 runs.

Australia will be led by Michael Clarke, as Ricky Ponting has already returned to Australia for the first half of the rest of the series. The side has also a different flavour to it, what with the return of the bashers in Dave Warner, Callum Ferguson and Cameron White. But who will make it to the middle order is a big enough question mark, especially after David Hussey's smashing century against Scotland.

Warner should open the innings with Shane Watson - who had also hit a half century and scalped three - while Clarke and Hussey should form the top four. Adam Voges' half century could see him get into the side as well, but it depends on the Aussie selectors whether they want to pump in with an extra batsman or pick five bowlers instead.

England's side will see Paul Collingwood taking over the mantle of the captaincy in the absence of Andrew Strauss. Strauss, on his part, will return for the ODIs, and would hope that his substitute captain provides him with a winning start, to help carry the momentum into the ODIs as well.

Tag :- Andrew Strauss   Australia   Callum Ferguson   Dave Warner   England   Michael Clarke   Paul Collingwood   Ricky Ponting   Shane Watson