Cricket: Australia will return to international cricket with six white ball games in England in September.

Australia will play three ODIs and three T20s against England in September after confirmation of a return to international cricket for coach Justin Langer’s men with Pat Cummins named a stand-alone vice-captain.

Australia will play three ODIs and three T20s against England in September after confirmation of a return to international cricket for coach Justin Langer’s men.

All matches will be played behind closed doors in Southampton and at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Aussie fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named a stand-alone vice-captain to skipper Aaron Finch, having been a joint deputy with Alex Carey, with plenty earmarking the speedster as a future captain.

Langer said it was “vital” to keep the game going, with the Aussies set to play their first game since the March series against New Zealand was abandoned because of COVID-19.

“It’s vital for cricket that we do everything we can to keep the game going in these tough times,” Langer said.

“I am delighted with how the players have returned to their states from the break back in March. The whole squad has come back fitter and stronger, which is great testament to each of them.

“We have a massive assignment ahead with World Cups, Test Series against India and South Africa and the Ashes next year. We can’t wait to get back into it again.”

The 21-man Aussie squad, and staff, have been granted travel exemptions and will be contained to a biosecurity bubble, which has worked for Test series in England against the West Indies and now Pakistan.

Langer’s senior assistant coach, Andrew McDonald, won’t travel and will instead head to India to meet commitments as coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

The Australian men's Qantas Tour of England has been confirmed, and squad announced with excitement about the inclusion of several young players: https://t.co/SSPJ8awSpk pic.twitter.com/D3n5u3CImM

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 14, 2020

Young guns Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams and Riley Meredith are the standout names in the squad which selection boss Trevor Hohns said was a pointer to the future.

“We are very excited by these young players who we believe are all capable of playing a role in the Australian setup in coming years,” Hohns said.

He said the move to appoint Cummins sole vice-captain was a matter or reverting to a traditional model.

“After taking advice and reviewing the leadership of the squad we have decided to revert back to the traditional captain and one vice-captain setup,” Hohns said.

“Alex remains a genuine leader within the squad and will continue to provide valuable support to Aaron as skipper. Pat is very much in the same category and someone the entire squad has immense respect for as a person and a player.

“This is not a reflection of succession planning, but rather a decision to return to the traditional leadership set-up that has served Australian cricket so well for generations.”

THE SERIES

1st IT20 Friday 4 September at The Ageas Bowl

2nd IT20 Sunday 6 September The Ageas Bowl

3rd IT20 Tuesday 8 September The Ageas Bowl

ODIS

Royal London Series:

1st ODI Friday 11 September at Emirates Old Trafford

2nd ODI Sunday 13 September at Emirates Old Trafford

3rd ODI Wednesday 16 September at Emirates Old Trafford

The National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen the following Australian T20 and ODI squad for the Qantas Tour of England:
 
Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Riley Meredith (Tasmania)
Josh Philippe (Western Australia)
Daniel Sams (New South Wales)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steven Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Andrew Tye (Western Australia)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (New South Wales)