ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 14: IND vs AUS – Australia Predicted Playing XI

It was against India when Australia began their turnaround just ahead of the World Cup 2019. They were down 0-2 in the five-match series and it seemed inevitable for them to suffer a series loss. But, they managed to make one of the best comebacks ever and stunned the ‘Men in Blue‘ by winning the series 3-2. This helped them gain a lot of confidence and they are a force to reckon with now in the tournament.

The Aussies will be up against the same opposition once again, this time in the mega event. By winning two games in a row, the team sits comfortably in the top half of the points table. They’d like to make it a hat-trick when they face India on Sunday. Their win in the last match against the Windies was inspirational and will surely keep the team in a good space.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Australia:

Openers (Aaron Finch (c), David Warner)

Aaron Finch is usually sceptical when the ball is moving in the air. The Indian bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah in particular, will look to exploit this weakness. He should be careful around the off-stump and should try to leave a lot of deliveries pitched in the fourth or fifth stump area early in the innings. There is no doubt about his form but this is the only concern.

David Warner started the tournament on a decent note. However, he ended up disappointing in the last game. He hit one straight to the fielder and erred badly in his shot selection. The southpaw can’t afford such mistakes against India and should get a big knock. Since he’s faced most of these bowlers in the IPL just a few weeks ago, Warner should be a confident man going into this game.

Middle Order (Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk))

The oppositions are testing Usman Khawaja with the short ball a lot. They are mixing it up really well with a few deliveries that are pitched up and the left-hander is falling into the ploy. Thus, Khawaja has got to be more careful and should be more patient out in the middle. Steve Smith missed a wonderful opportunity of possibly getting another World Cup century.

It took a wonderful catch to dismiss him as he dug in deep after his team was put into trouble early on. He is excellent in terms of technique and will have a big role to play yet again. Alex Carey will continue to keep wickets for his team. The wicket-keeper batsman played a useful knock in the last game and built a good partnership along with Australia’s former skipper.

All Rounders (Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis)

Both Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis disappointed with the way they got out in the last game. Maxwell seemed absolutely reckless and failed to analyse the situation of the game. He tried to hit a big shot just off his second ball and the ‘Big Show’ ended up being a ‘no show’. With the ball, he went wicketless but bowled at a good economy rate of 5.20.

Stoinis also played a needless shot when his team’s total was just 79. He played really well up until that point but failed to make it big. He should also learn from his mistakes quickly and shouldn’t repeat them again. The 29-year-old is a great asset with the ball and can trouble some of the Indian batsmen.

Bowlers (Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa)

Nathan Coulter-Nile was the difference between the teams in the last game. Batting at number eight, he registered his first ODI fifty and it couldn’t have come at a better time. While he had an opportunity to stick around and get to the triple-figures, Coulter-Nile put his team ahead of his personal achievements and tried to hit a lofted shot and thus got out on 92.

However, he has got to improve his performance slightly with the ball. Both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been doing an excellent job with the ball. The left-arm pacer picked up a five-wicket haul in the last match and announced his arrival. He will look to test the Indian openers as well. Adam Zampa will be the lone frontline spinner in the Australian attack.