A new look West Indies side under http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382 is all set to play a triumphant Australia in the opening One Day International of the five-match series today at the Arnos Vale Stadium of St. Vincent.
West Indies have not played an international side since December last year while the Australians come into the series at the back of a triumphant, though hectic summer at home.
Whilst the Windies were relaxing at home since December, the Aussies were playing India in a four-match Test series which was followed by two T20 Internationals against the same opposition. They concluded the victorious summer with a convincing victory in
the triangular Commonwealth Bank series, also featuring India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
West Indies, on the other hand, have lost the last One Day series they had played at home against India by a 3-2 margin in June last year. They then toured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739.
Australia are arguably the best One-Day side in the world at the moment, which has been performing consistently of late. Though the Aussies have been relishing on pace bowling at home, their batting has also been a plus. The likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301, Shane
Watson, Michael and David Hussey and rookie batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bailey-c1480 is likely to make his ODI debut in today’s match.
Their bowling arsenal includes the experience of Brett Lee that will be complimented by rookie pacers Clint McKay and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653 are doubtful starters for series opener with respective injuries.
The only specialist spinner in the Australian attack will be Xavier Doherty.
In the absence of regular skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 will be leading the national side in a complete series and must be eager to leave his
mark on selectors’ minds.
"For me, it's just a really enjoyable time to be able to try to bring across the way that I love playing cricket," Watson had said speaking to the media reporters ahead of the ODI series opener on Friday.
"…I'm just really excited about being able to lead a team of very high quality and talented individuals, but also know exactly what is required to be able to win," he added further.
West Indies on the other hand will be relishing the return of some experienced players to the national side, including all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and fast bowler Tino Best. The hosts will heavily rely on the firepower they have in their
pace department which includes the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Rampaul-c2233 and Kemar Roach.
Arnos Vale has always been a happy hunting ground for the Windies as they have won 17 of the total 20 ODIs played here. However, their record against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the recent years is not quite encouraging. West Indies’ last victory against Aussies had come
in October 2006.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KAJ-Roach-c1758.
Australia 1 David Warner, 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/XJ-Doherty-c2804.
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