England against Australia has rarely required an excuse to set the pulse racing, but Saturday's clash between two of the early pace-setters could act as the defibrillator this World Cup badly needs.
While England have so far demolished West Indies and Bangladesh, the Australians have put some dismal pre-tournament form behind them to see off South Africa and Sri Lanka. The only other 100 per cent record belongs to Pakistan, who made it three Super 12 wins out of three against Afghanistan.
Victory for either Australia or England will put them within touching distance of the semis, as well as provide the earliest of bragging-rights ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8. Not a trick will be missed between now and then.
England and Australia meet with hopes that they can provide a T20 World Cup X-Factor
Above all, perhaps, the ICC will be hoping for an occasion to bring the World Cup to life. Ten of the 12 matches so far have been won by the team batting second, placing too much of a premium on the toss, while only three sides have made more than 160 and just three games have been settled in the last over.
Scotland's qualification from the first round provided an early feelgood story, and Pakistan's 10-wicket hammering of India a stirring slice of history. On Friday, West Indies and Bangladesh went down to the last ball. But the tournament needs more X-factor than that, and Saturday can provide it.
Neither side will want to cede an inch. Australia did not enjoy their last World Cup meeting with England - an eight-wicket defeat in the semi-final of the 50-over version at Edgbaston two years ago - and are in no mood for a repeat. The fact that both teams fear one another means each will be eager to land the first blow.
The competition is yet to get going with the coin toss holding a huge influence over results
England and Australia are the early pacesetters and both will try to seal a place in the semis
'It's probably going to be one of our most difficult games in this group stage,' said England captain Eoin Morgan. 'Australia are a very strong side. Coming into the tournament, they would probably be considered joint-second favourites, along with us.'
That was overstating the case: England are top of the rankings, while Australia are sixth, and recently lost 4-1 to both West Indies and Bangladesh. But it conveyed a respect that is mutual.
Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins agreed. 'They've been probably just about the form team the last few years in white-ball cricket,' he said. 'We know it's such a big game in the context of making the semi-finals.'
England possess the more explosive, and deeper, batting line-up, but will have noted a long overdue half-century for Australian opener David Warner in Thursday's win against Sri Lanka - even if he did profit from the drop of the tournament by wicketkeeper Kusal Perera.
World No 1 side England are well-versed in all areas and have hit the ground running so far
Australia's David Warner appears to be hitting form at just the right time and will be a threat
Then there are the maverick qualities of Glenn Maxwell, who helped steal a one-day series at Old Trafford in 2020 with a 90-ball 108 that included
