The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel, and how wet it will be as the biggest rivals in the sport collide...
Australia kick-off their white-ball tour of England with three T20 internationals.
FIRST T20I - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (Friday, September 4, 6pm)
SECOND T20I - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (Sunday, September 6, 2.15pm)
THIRD T20I - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (Tuesday, September 8, 6pm)
While England have spent the summer face West Indies, Ireland and Pakistan across various formats, this is Australia's first game back since their white-ball matches against New Zealand were called off in March.
Although hampered by rain, England drew their T20I series against Pakistan, but they still had time to impress with the bat. Impressive in the Big Bash and the Blast, Tom Banton showed he could transfer his class to the international stage with knocks of 71 and 46.
Elsewhere, both Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan were at the heart of England's destructive middle order. In the second T20i, Malan made 54 off 36 and Morgan 66 from 33 as they helped secure a five-wicket win.
Though defeated in the third T20, their strength in depth was again evident as Moeen Ali enjoyed a welcome return to form with a rapid 61 that nearly saw England over the line. And with Jos Buttler back in the frame, suddenly that line-up looks even more formidable.
Australia head coach Justin Langer is wary of England's power-hitting. “Dangerous. That's what I made of England - they're dangerous, aren't they? I've watched the way Eoin Morgan plays," he said. "It's exciting to watch, he comes out and smacks it from ball one.”
Perhaps, the hosts' biggest weakness is within a spin department that struggled throughout the Pakistan series. Adil Rashid and Moeen took just three wickets between them, and both spinners averaged an economy rate of over 10.
The last time these two sides met in a white-ball match was in the World-Cup semi-final; a game in which England ran out comprehensive winners. Aaron Finch's side had prevailed in their previous two meetings, in a pre-tournament warm-up and in the group stage but the eventual world champions came good when it mattered.
Can Tom Banton reproduce his best against Australia?
Joe Root is the high-profile omission for the series. The Test skipper hasn't played a T20 international for over a year but has recently hit successive half-centuries in the T20 Blast.
With the return of JButtler, Jorfa Archer, Mark Wood, and Sam Curran, England are almost back to full strength but Jason Roy remains sidelined for the time being with a side injury.
England's 14-man T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
Reserves: Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood.
The number one ranked T20i side have won nine of their last 10 T20 matches. In the previous two years, Australia have beaten India 2-0, and recorded home series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, before a most recent win over South Africa.
Key to Australia's short-form success is their bowling attack. Vice-captain Pat Cummins and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc combine with Ashton Agar and - everyone's favourite grade cricketer - Adam Zampa; it's a mixture of brutal pace and wily spin that's been stunningly efficacious.
In recent matches, Australia bowled out South Africa for 96 and 89. A feat that is just as remarkable is their strength in depth. Andrew Tye, Sean Abbott, Josh Hazelwood and new pacemen on the block, Daniel Sams and Riley Merideth show an array of options at Justin Langer's disposal when he inevitably needs to rotate his quicks.
Elsewhere, David Warner and Steve Smith make up an impressive batting line-up, hitting 28 collective career white-ball hundreds for Australia.
Aaron Finch captains both sides, and a string of debuts could be on the cards. Wicket-keeper-batsman Josh Phillipe, pacemen Daniel Sams and fast-bowler Riley Meredith are included. Steve Smith, David Warner and Glen Maxwell are also on board.
Australia's 17-man white-ball squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (VC), Josh Hazelwood, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glen Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Phillipe, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stonis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
David Warner will be looking to repeat his previous white-ball success in England
Conditions for the first T20 are likely be overcast but there is little chance of rain playing a part.
It will be much more pleasant for the second match, with sunny skies expected on the south coast.
And a clear evening is anticipated for the concluding match of the series with rain not predicted to intervene.
Sky Sports be showing all three T20s via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504). Footage can also be accessed by Now TV and Sky Go.
Meanwhile, the BBC will continue their live coverage of England by showing the second T20. International cricket returned to the broadcaster during the series as part of the new rights deal which will see two summer 20-over matches show every between 2020-2024. Footage can be accessed via BBC One and the BBC Sport website. They will also have highlights of the series.
Sony Six and Sony Six HD will broadcast the matches in India, while the Sony Network will show the games in Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Ten Sports and PTV are charged with gives fans in Pakistan access to the games.
In Australia, Fox Sports and streaming service Kayo will show the matches while Supersport will be the main broadcaster in South Africa.
For those without access to digital or satellite television, Test Match Special will have live radio commentary of the series via BBC Radio 4 LW and BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra.
England are the slight favourites for the series at 8/11, while Australia are available at evens.
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