Australia to defeat Zimbabwe - LIVE Preview: ICC World Cup 2011
The World Cup 2011 is now on its 3rd day as Ahmedabad gets ready to host an encounter between the four times champion Australia and the rejuvenated Zimbabwean team.
Australia will kick start their campaign knowing that they are not the only favourites in spite of the fact that they are still ranked as the number 1 team. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 who have had a forgetful time for most part of the last decade will go into today’s match with hopes of putting up a good show to prove that they are a team on the rise. They will also be the flag bearers for the struggling minnows so a fine performance from them will make a strong case for the inclusion of associate nations in the next World Cup.
High Stakes
The Aussies have to register an impressive win in their first game in order to send a strong message to the other nations. An emphatic victory from the reigning champions will forewarn all the playing teams that Australia is once again a serious contender for regaining the celebrated crown. Their performance was not up to the mark in the two warm-up matches they lost to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. They have definitely not started on the right note and they will have to set things right in their outing against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean team has finally got its bearing right after a long time in the wilderness. The side that reached its peak in 1999 World Cup had sunk to the depths of nothingness. They were stripped of their test status but they have rebuilt and formed a team that can restore their lost pride. The practice matches leading up to the tournament did not really go their way and losing to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 must have been a big disappointment. But now is their golden chance to announce their comeback on the World Stage by upstaging the mighty Aussies.
Key Players
Australia may no longer have the brilliance of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s success. The fast and furious duo of Brett Lee and Shaun Tait are sure to send batsmen packing with their lethal display of aggressive pace bolwing.
The Zimbabwe side too has some exciting players who will have to play a big part in this match for them to do well. Brendon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Elton-Chigumbura-c55937 is another one to watch out. He hit a terrific century against the Irish team in the warm-up, and that will set him up nicely for today’s game.
Team news
Australia will go into the match with a full strength side which will imply that Callum Ferguson, Tim Paine will not be included and Doug Bollinger will probably miss out too. Josh Hastings is almost certain to find a place in the playing XI.
Zimbabwe will in most likelihood stick with Charles Coventry to open the innings despite his poor showing with the bat. The team management will focus on the inclusion of spinners and for that Sean http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Williams-c98034 will make the final cut.
Australia (probable): Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (Capt.), Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, David Hussey, Cameron White, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait.
Zimbabwe (probable): Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Regis Chakabva, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Price-c82662, Chris Mpofu.
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