World Cup 2019: Match 10, Australia Vs West Indies: Today's Predicted Playing 11 and Key Players for Australia
Australia are set to take on West Indies at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Thursday. Both the teams are coming off a good break and will play their second game of the ICC World Cup 2019.
The two sides also come into this game on the back of a win in their first game. Australia brushed aside Afghanistan in a dominating fashion to notch up a 7-wicket win at Bristol. Their bowling attack was too good for Afghanistan as the inexperienced side was bundled out for a modest total of 207. Later on, Australia chased down the target in a very convincing fashion to get their first points on the board.
On the other hand, West Indies trounced Pakistan by the same margin. The West Indian bowling attack targeted Pakistan with quality short-pitch bowling as the latter folded for a mere 105. In the second inning, West Indies came out all guns blazing in order to achieve a massive net run rate advantage. In that process, the team lost 3 wickets but the chase was completed within 13.4 overs.
Australia will therefore have to be on their toes against a dangerous West Indian side. A few key players like David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins would be required to be at their very best in order to notch up one more emphatic victory.
Here, we have a look at Australia's predicted playing 11.
Skipper Aaron Finch and the dangerous David Warner will open the innings for Australia. Finch took on an aggressive approach during Australia's chase to score 66 runs off just 49 balls. Meanwhile, David Warner was unusually sedate even though he looked completely at home. Warner ended up with 89 runs off 114 balls.
The stylish Usman Khawaja will bat at No 3 and although he had an off day against Afghanistan, he will be looking to strike it rich against the relatively inexperienced West Indies bowling attack.
Steve Smith also couldn't do much against Afghanistan. However, Australia won't be concerned considering his superb form during the warm-up games.The mercurial Glenn Maxwell will bat in the middle order. Maxwell ended up a mere spectator against Afghanistan as he was only needed to score the winning shot but could be expected to churn an important knock if needed.
Marcus Stoinis, Australia's seam-bowling allrounder would like to continue his good start to the tournament. Even though Stoinis didn't get a chance to bat, he contributed to the team with 2 wickets against Afghanistan while keeper Alex Carey took four catches and effected a stumping in the match against Afghanistan but did not have a chance to bat.
Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell Starc will make up Australia's brilliant pace attack. Against Afghanistan, Cummins took three wickets while Starc ended up with one wicket. Coulter-Nile will look to join his partners and open his wicket count against West Indies.
Adam Zampa will be the lone specialist spinner against West Indies. In Australia's first match, Zampa had a mixed day as he took 3 wickets while conceding 60 runs off just 8 overs.
Key Players
David Warner- While David Warner had a fantastic IPL season, there were still slight concerns over his best spot in the Australian batting line up. Warner batted both as an opener and also at No 3 without positive returns against a New Zealand XI in an unofficial ODI series which was played out last month. However, Warner sealed his opening spot with a confident 43-run knock against hosts England in Australia's first warm up. Warner carried on that confidence into Australia's World Cup opener against Afghanistan by scoring a flawless 89 off 114 deliveries and him being in-form will thus always be an important player for Australia.
Steve Smith- Steve Smith will also be a key cog in Australia's batting line-up. There were a few concerns regarding Smith's form in the IPL but as soon as he donned his country's jersey, Steven Smith's old self seemed to have comeback. He continued his amazing form from the unofficial ODI series against New Zealand during Australia's warm up games. When Australia face West Indies, the team would need Steve Smith to stand up especially if the team loses a couple of early wickets.
Pat Cummins: The talented Pat Cummins will be another player who is capable of having a massive impact against the West Indies. Cummins will look to carry on his great start to the tournament against a West Indian team that has the tendency to fall apart against quality pace bowling.
Predicted Playing 11 for Australia-
David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
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