T20 World Cup 2021: Australia Predicted Playing XI against West Indies

Two consecutive victories to earn advantage, one loss to wipe it off, a thumping win to regain it – that’s been Australia’s journey this T20 World Cup, who come up against West Indies in their final Super12 fixture. After their eight-wicket rout against England, Australia needed to land a similar blow on someone and they ended up hitting hapless Bangladesh even harder on November 4, first wrapping them for a paltry 73, and then gunning it down with a mindboggling 82 balls to spare.

Going against Bangladesh, the biggest concern for Australia was to fill the gulf between themselves and South Africa. With the record win, they have turned the tables, with South Africa standing at the other end of the spectrum now. That said, Australia cannot afford a slip-up – they need to win West Indies and hope South Africa loses to England, in which case they would proceed simply with eight points; South Africa staying at six.

However, if both the teams win their encounters, the net run rate will be the decisive factor. If Australia lose and South Africa win, the former will be disqualified. Put simply, despite the massive net-run-rate repairing win, Australia cannot settle for anything less on November 6.

Australia Predicted XI against West Indies:

Openers – David Warner, Aaron Finch

The intent from the Australian openers was clear from the onset. They were aware of the scenarios and they pushed to secure a victory as early as possible. The duo raced their team to 58 in just 4.6 overs, with Aaron Finch scoring 40 off those in just 20, cracking four sixes and two fours, before being cleaned up by Taskin Ahmed. While Finch charged from the other end, Warner was not quiet, hitting three fours in his 14-ball 18 before Shoriful Islam knocked him down.

Middle-order – Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade

After extending their bowling line-up against England by roping in Ashton Agar, Australia slotted back Mitchell Marsh in the previous game at his expense. He is likely to continue against the West Indies. In the previous encounter, by the time he came in, the chase was already killed by Finch’s blows. But Marsh swung around his willow, scoring a quick 5-ball 16, with Australia needing no one else to bat from the middle-order.

Steve Smith has continued to play the anchor, while Glenn Maxwell, on the back of a magnificent IPL 2021, is yet to deliver the kind of magic in this tournament. Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade have given the finishing touches once against South Africa in what was their team’s first victory and will have a similar role to play again.

Bowlers – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

On a day that belonged to Australia bowlers, each one of them enjoyed a great outing but it was Adam Zampa’s incredible 5/19 that stood out. Zampa even came close to bagging a hat-trick, only for Wade to fluff a chance behind to deny him. After Mitchell Starc ad Josh Hazlewood dented the Bangladesh top-order, Zampa ruled the roost in the middle.

Hazlewood (2/8) struck twice in the powerplay, seeing the back of Mohammad Naim and Soumya Sarkar, while Starc (2/21) cleaned up Liton Das before getting Mahmudullah caught behind. Though Pat Cummins returned wicketless, he gave only 18 in his three overs.