ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 17: AUS vs PAK – Australia Predicted Playing XI

After a resounding win against Afghanistan, Australia had to scratch hard for their win against West Indies. That win against the Windies extended their winning streak to 10 games. However, that came to a screeching halt as they ran into a dominant Indian side. They will be looking to get their campaign back on track against an unpredictable Pakistan side who have three points from as many games.

Australia will have to make at least one change as Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of this game with a side strain. It’s still uncertain for how long Stoinis is going to miss out. Hence, Australia’s balance will get affected as he was the only genuine all-rounder in the squad. It is going to upset the balance as Australia now have to decide whether to go in with an extra seamer or an extra batsman.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Australia:

Openers (David Warner and Aaron Finch (c))

Aaron Finch has looked good in this World Cup. He’s been hitting the ball well and has been fluent at the crease. However, the Aussie skipper hasn’t got a big score yet. He did score 66 in the first game but threw it away. He was unfortunate to be runout in the game against India. However, he will be looking to make amends in the coming games.

David Warner has looked quite scratchy in this World Cup so far. He started the tournament with an unbeaten 89 against Afghanistan but he didn’t look convincing at all. He struck another fifty in the last game against India but he consumed a lot of deliveries and struggled quite a bit.

Middle-order (Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey (wk))

Steve Smith has been in prime form ever since he returned to the Australian colours. He has continued his World Cup form and has seven 50+ scores in his last eight World Cup innings. He has now scored back to back fifties already in this tournament and is looking in ominous form.

Moreover, with him looking comfortable at No. 3 and Usman Khawaja not really firing, Australia might just bring in Shaun Marsh at No. 4. The Western Australian left-hander has done well over the last couple of years in ODI cricket. There were a few doubts about Alex Carey’s ability with the bat down the order, but his quickfire fifty will give the team management some confidence. However, his work behind the stumps was poor in the game against India.

All-rounder (Glenn Maxwell)

Glenn Maxwell hasn’t quite come to the party in this World Cup. He didn’t have a lot of work to do in the first game against Afghanistan. But he registered a duck against West Indies. He did show glimpses of his destructive form against India but the situation meant he had to go after almost everything when he was batting.

He has been bowling quite a bit as well in the last couple of games. Though he hasn’t picked up wickets, he’s tried to keep things tight from one end. If Australia decide to go in for an extra batsman, Maxwell might be required to bowl 10 overs in the game against Pakistan.

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

Nathan Coulter-Nile came to Australia’s rescue with the bat against West Indies. However, he’s more or less been ineffective with the ball. But with Marcus Stoinis ruled out, Coulter-Nile is most likely slated to bat at No. 7 with the inclusion of an extra bowler – Kane Richardson. The right-arm pacer bowled in both practice games and seemed in decent flow.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will continue to lead the charge with the new ball. The two senior fast bowlers have picked up 7 and 6 wickets respectively in this tournament. On the other hand, despite not being at his best, Adam Zampa will continue to be the lone spinner.