West Indies v Australia - Australia tour of West Indies (4th ODI) – Australian bowlers to watch out for
Directly after wrapping up the Commonwealth Bank series Down Under, which saw Australia going on to win the tournament, the national squad flew to the West Indies for a tour which involves a 5-match ODI series, 2 T20s, and a series of three Tests.
Despite their initial apprehensiveness about the Caribbean conditions, the Australian team got off to a superb start, claiming a 64-run win against the hosts in the first ODI of the series at Kingstown on March 16.
However, the victorious side received a reality check when the Windies, who haven’t won against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 since roughly 6 years, clinched a 5-wicket win in the 2nd ODI, bringing the series score to a level 1-1. The 3rd ODI did nothing
to help matters, ending on a nail-biting tie, and any idea about which way the series might swerve can only be formulated once both teams face off against each other in the 4th ODI, scheduled for March 23 at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet,
St Lucia.
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The low, slow nature of Caribbean pitches are conducive to spinners, and Xavier Doherty has taken full advantage of that, claiming 7 wickets in the first 3 ODIs, securing a place as the top wicket-taker for his side. His impressive performances have earned
him the second spot on the tournament’s list of top wicket-takers. However, his economy rate is 4.65, which remain on the higher side considering the small totals witnessed so far.
Doherty made his ODI debut in 2010 against Sri Lanka, and made a spectacular impression, claiming 4 for 46. His performances in the Commonwealth Bank series last month were mediocre, but the pitches in the Caribbean seem to be favouring him, and his 4 for
49 was instrumental in powering his team to victory in the first ODI. The 29-year-old’s return to form is sure to prove clinical in the crunch upcoming match.
Clint McKay
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 at Adelaide, and winning the Player of the Match award to boot.
The pacer’s main problem is consistency. His tri-series performances were dotted with irregularities early on before impressing in the latter phases. Currently, he is bowling well, managing 2 for 22 in the first ODI against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, following that
up with 0 for 16 (an impressive display of economy, if the lack of wickets is set aside), and took 2 for 50.
McKay is at number 6 on the series records for most wickets, having claimed 4 scalps in 3 innings, with an economy rate of 3.38. The medium-pacer looks to be in fine form, and the mounting pressure of a yet undecided series may make him a dangerous opponent
for the Windies’ batsmen.
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After returning to the team following his recovery from a hamstring injury in the tri-series last month, all-rounder Shane Watson found himself stepping into Michael Clarke’s post as stand-in skipper, a role he claimed to have enjoyed thoroughly. While his
batting performances remained mediocre, the 30-year-old excelled as a bowler, taking 3 for 33 against Sri Lanka at Brisbane, and 2 for 13 in the final at Adelaide.
While he started the Windies series with a mediocre 0 for 13, he moved on to take 1 for 28 in the second ODI, and peaked in the previous match with 3 for 30. The Aussie original vice-captain is currently at number four on the series records for most wickets
taken, with 4 scalps and an economy rate of 3.77 to his name – a fact which could prove quite troubling for the opposing team.
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