After leveling the series 1-1 against Pakistan, hosts England would want to gain an early edge over Australia. Eoin Morgan's men have not lost a single series after the COVID-19 break, and they will be keen to keep that record intact.
So far, England and Australia have played only one bilateral T20I series comprising three matches (in 2014). Notably, Australia routed England 3-0 in that series.
However, England has beaten the Aussies in the previous two single T20Is (2018 and 2015), both at home.
Australia is currently the world's number one T20 side, with much of its success built on a top-order featuring captain Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Steve Smith.
Aaron Finch will lead the Australian team on this tour. Apart from the top order, the visiting side has a stellar squad featuring the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh.
Both the skippers of England and Australia fancy playing each other.
England captain Eoin Morgan is the highest run-getter from the nation in T20Is against Australia (247 runs from 11 T20Is at 24.70).
Similarly, his counterpart Aaron Finch leads the runs tally for Australia.
However, he averages a prolific 70.83 against England, having amassed 425 runs as of now.
England was without several multi-format players during their recent T20 series with Pakistan that ended in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The likes of 21-year-old opener Tom Banton starred against Pakistan but Jos Buttler will regain his place at the top of the order on Friday, with fast bowler Jofra Archer set to play his first white-ball international since sending down the decisive Super Over in last year's World Cup final.
"It's great to have him back," Morgan said of Archer on Thursday. "He's one of our match-winners and to have another one in your team is great –- he's a huge asset."
England and Australia are cricket's oldest Test nations and Morgan said that whatever the format, matches between the arch-rivals were still special occasions.
Squads (T20I):
England: Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler(w), Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan(c), Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Tom Banton, Joe Denly, Tom Curran
Australia: Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Daniel Sams, Josh Philippe
(Match will begin at 10.30 pm IST and will be broadcast on SonyESPN)