CWC 2019: AUS vs WI Preview – Fire meets fire as pace-fuelled teams clash
Seven wickets – both Australia and West Indies won their opening games of the 2019 World Cup by the same margin. The means used to achieve those wins by both the sides were also same – pace bowling. West Indies destroyed Pakistan by peppering them with short balls while Australian speed proved to be too much for the Afghan boys. Two fiery pace attacks will go head to head at Trent Bridge, Nottingham tomorrow.
West Indian bowlers exploited the Trent Bridge pitch hardness perfectly as they bombarded the Pakistani batsmen with short balls. The 22-year old Jamaican pacer, Oshane Thomas, led the effort with a testing spell of 4/27. Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Russell and Jason Holder supported the cause. The batting unit also stepped up with Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran blazing all guns. West Indies shot down Pakistan for 105 and chased it down in only 13.4 overs. Australia will be a whole different proposition, though.
Defending champions faced plucky Afghanistan in their opening encounter at County Ground, Bristol. Australia was expected to dominate the Asian team, and they duly did. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins pushed Afghanistan in a corner with their pace and Adam Zampa’s leg breaks broke them. Opener David Warner, playing after a year, proved his form with an 89 not out. Captain Finch (66 runs) continued his great run at the top. The Aussies will be looking to continue in the same vein.
Match info:
Australia v West Indies, 10th Match
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Head-to-head:
Played – 9, West Indies leads 5-4
West Indies won five of the first six World Cup encounters which also includes the 1975 World Cup final. Since Australia’s stunning comeback in 1996 WC semifinal, they have not lost to West Indies in following two matches.
Team tactics:
Australia
Australian batting lineup is in a stunning form. Their former opening pair of Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja was plundering runs in UAE and the addition of David Warner makes them even more formidable. The middle order of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis was not needed in the first game, but their role will be crucial against the West Indies on a track that suits the batsmen. Starc and Cummins shall be Australia’s main weapons against Chris Gayle as the left-hander is expected to be severe on the slow bowlers.
West Indies
The West Indian pace bowlers will continue to employ short stuff against the Australian batting lineup. They played their first match at the same venue so have a better understanding of the current conditions. Shai Hope, the opener in blazing form, is expected to see the team through while his partners take the attack to the opposition. Evin Lewis could come in if fit. Kemar Roach is another interesting option for Captain Holder to try out.
Probable XI:
Australia
Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
West Indies
Chris Gayle, Shai Hope(w), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Jason Holder(c), Kemar Roach/Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas
