Vaughan Exclusive: Buttler to continue fine form and inspire England to victory over Australia

Jos Buttler is set to continue his fine form and inspire England to a T20 series victory over Australia at the top of the order, according to Michael Vaughan.

Buttler has manged to turn things around after a difficult period in the England shirt, hitting 265 runs in the recent Test series win over Pakistan to be named Player of the Series for his side.

Buttler is one of a number of big-name players to return to the England white ball squads and former captain Vaughan is backing the 29-year-old to keep up his recent form when the T20 series against Australia begins in Southampton on Friday.

“I think Buttler at the top of the order [will impress],” Vaughan said. “Again, it’s a debate whether you feel he should be there or in the middle, [but] he’ll have an absolute field day in Southampton – he loves batting there, has got a load of Test runs, got plenty of white ball runs there. So I think Buttler will be the dominant force for England with the bat.”

Vaughan added: “Buttler’s back in for England, Jofra Archer’s back, Mark Wood’s back, so England have brought back the power. No Joe Root in the T20 squad, I’m surprised by that, but they’re going without their Test captain.”

🗣️ "Buttler will have an absolute field day in Southampton"@MichaelVaughan makes his prediction ahead of England’s T20 series against Australia #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/iPDNrtXpxT

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Vaughan believes Australia have a formidable side but feels England have the advantage heading into the series, having just completed a T20 series with Pakistan earlier this week.

“Australia have brought the powerhouses,” Vaughan said. “They’ve brought [David] Warner, they’ve brought [Steve] Smith, [Marnus] Labuschagne, Aaron Finch, [Pat] Cummins, [Adam] Zampa.

“Australia have brought what they believe is their best squad of players – understandably, as they’re playing the best white ball team in the world in England. I think England will have the upper hand because they’ve played three T20s against Pakistan already.”

Vaughan added: “I think England will win. It will probably be 2-1 but I think it just might take the Australians a couple of games to get into their stride and England should be able to capitalise.

“I think we’re in for an absolute beauty. Whenever the Aussies are here, the Ashes is the most important trophy that we ever play for, but it doesn’t matter what you’re playing – T20, 50 overs or Test match cricket – you want to beat Australia.”

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