Australia vs West Indies – ICC World T20 2nd semi-final – Match Preview
Following the thrills of the first semi-final, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
Both teams met each other in their respective opening games of the tournament, with the Aussies coming up on top, via the D/L method, despite the tie being intriguingly poised.
That game in itself gave fair indication of the relative strengths each side have at their disposal. It was Chris Gayle’s half-century, which paved way for his side’s daunting total on the board, before http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 stole the limelight to put Australia in
a dominating position, only for rain to intervene.
The two power-hitters will again be the centre of attention, especially given the success Watson has achieved in the tournament so far. Gayle’s prowess had been matchless over the past couple of years, but Watto’s return to form has made the contest even,
considering both sides are prone to self-destruct after that.
While their presence will be the highlight, a lot with depend on how other players perform around them. The trouble for either camp is their struggling middle-order, which has failed to resist quality spin.
Apart from Gayle, Windies largely rely on Marlon Samuels, while their opponents bank on Michael Hussey’s experience to get them out of trouble. That notion will again be tested, with both teams likely to go spin-heavy.
Australian coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380, who has been axed from the starting XI since the start of the competition. His experience however, remains his biggest asset with the management
hoping to exploit that in the upcoming clash.
If he is included, Glenn Maxwell is likely to miss out following a poor outing against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bradley-Hogg-c59047 and Pat
Cummins, the bowling attack is expected to remain the same.
The Windies’ route to the semi-final was hardly straight-forward, where they relied on Sri Lanka to beat http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in the final Super Eights fixture. Their tag of being favourites will be tested today, and they will be keen to put in an all-round performance,
rather than relying too much on their destructive opener.
The team is likely to play two spinners, considering the deteriorating nature of the track, with Samuel Badree and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754,
and is again expected to be the team’s trump card.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Fidel-Henderson-Edwards-c57010 is likely to be benched.
The pitch at Colombo has turned, and has further offered variable bounce, so a low scoring encounter could be on the cards. Toss may hold little weightage, given the respective preference, with Australia better at chasing, while their opponents inclined
to bat first.
Australia (preferred XI) - 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/XJ-Doherty-c2804
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Rampaul-c2233.
Tags: