Match number 38 is one of the crucial matches of this World Cup for Australia and even for South Africa, who are not playing this match. The situation in Group 1 is pretty tight, and the spot for the second semi-finals berth is still vacant. England have played brilliantly, and they are cruising to the semi-finals as they are at the top of the table.
Apart from Australia, South Africa are the other team eyeing their place in the semifinals, and they will keep their eyes on this match. It is a must-win match for Australia. West Indies have no hopes of qualifying, and the defending champions are out of the race for the playoffs. Windies did have a disappointing tournament, but they will look to end their tournament on a high with a win.
Australia have to win this game to keep a stronghold on the semifinal’s berth, as South Africa is neck to neck with them. Australia were playing brilliantly in this tournament until England ruined their party and thrashed them. But Australia did win comprehensively and crushed Bangladesh in a one-sided game in their last match of the Super 12. Australia have to play well and march forward by winning this crucial encounter against the defending champions, West Indies.
Head-to-head in T20I
West Indies rule in head-to-head against Australia in T20 International matches. West Indies are a lethal T20 side, and against Australia, they have the upper hand with ten wins in 16 matches in T20I. In a recent series between these two sides, West Indies defeated the Australians by a score of 4-1. Australia didn’t look their complete best in that series and were thrashed by the Windies in the Caribbean. Australia are certainly lagging, and history suggests that the West Indies have been the superior side. Aaron Finch and his men need to certainly change this and win this match against the West Indies. In contrast, the Windies would want to continue their winning streak over Australia and secure two points to end their campaign on a high note.
Players to watch out
Australia
Australian players need to be on their toes against the mighty West Indies. Australia have their sights on the semifinal spot, and they need to be at their best to win against the West Indies. This team needs David Warner to play at his best and give them a great start in the match. Warner has a great record against the Windies in T20 International matches. Warner has scored 311 runs at a decent average of 34.55. He has an incredible strike rate of 151.70, and he needs to play at this rate to outweigh the mighty West Indies.
Australia’s second key player for this match is left-handed pacer Mitchell Starc. Starc found his rhythm in their last game against Bangladesh. He needs to continue this rhythm and go through the dangerous batting unit of the West Indies. Starc does have seven wickets at a decent strike rate of 24 against the Windies. The left-arm pacer needs to pick up wickets both in the powerplay and during the death overs, to ensure a win for Australia.
West Indies
West Indies have nothing to lose, but they can still spoil Australia’s party and give South Africa the upper hand in qualifying for the semis. West Indies are filled with star players and have one of the best players in this format. Their veterans haven’t played to their potential and will surely look to end their tournament on a high. One of them is the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. He has had a poor batting string and hasn’t showcased his abilities in the tournament. Gayle has a great record against Australia, with 405 runs at an average of 33.75. He has an outstanding strike rate of 155.17, and the Gayle Storm might hit Australia again in this match.
Other than him, their bowling all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, hasn’t come to the party as well. Bravo had an amazing IPL in the UAE, but he couldn’t deliver the same for the Windies. Bravo has a great chance to show his skills against Australia in the West Indies’ last match of the tournament. Bravo has picked up eight wickets against the Aussies and has an astonishing economy rate of 7.86 in T20I.
The veterans would want to finish their tournament on a high, their last T20 World Cup in their illustrious careers.
Probable XI
Australia: Australia had an amazing outing in their last game against the Bangladeshi tigers. Aaron Finch wouldn’t touch his winning combination and would go in with the same playing XI. Marsh had an incredible series against the Windies this year, and his addition to the side will help them win this match.
West Indies: West Indies have nothing to lose, and they might make a change or two. Ravi Rampaul might make way for the young Hayden Walsh Jr. Walsh Jr. had an outstanding series against the Australians this year, and he was one of the finds of the series in the Caribbean. West Indies would hope their gun players would fire in their last match of the tournament.
Fantasy XI:
Pooran (w.k), A. Finch, D. Warner, C. Gayle, G. Maxwell, A. Russel, D. Bravo, M. Marsh (Captain), A. Zampa, M. Starc (Vice-Captain), H. Walsh.