Tri-Series 2016, Match 8 Preview: Australia faces West Indies in a must-win game

The Tri-Nation series becomes more interesting after Sunday’s contest between table-toppers South Africa and Australia was a washed out due to rains. The Aussies took two points the game was called off on after just nine minutes of play. The washout was good news for West Indies, though, as it keeps the path to the final clear for the hosts.

The Windies have only eight points from four matches and now needs only to win one of its remaining two matches to qualify for the final. For Australia, it will be sort of a must win game. West Indies will try to hit back harder after suffering a huge loss at the hands of South Africa. Despite the heavy loss, the road to the final looks uncomplicated for them. A win would seal a place in the final whereas, if they lose, they might have to rely on South Africa to defeat the hosts to make it to the final.

West Indies:

It was a total mess in their last game for the hosts as Imran Tahir rolled them over with his wonderful spell of spin bowling. The confidence would have been hurt. All seven batsmen in the line-up reached double figures but failed to convert it into anything substantial. Johnston Charles at the top looks in-form but his partner Andre Fletcher has failed to score big.

However, when combined, both have managed to give breezy starts to their team which makes Fletcher’s silent run bit less worrying. Marlon Samuels would want to replicate his fabulous knock. All-rounders Kieron Pollard, Carlos Braithwaite and Jason Holder have been effective with the ball but must try has more impact with the bat. The West Indies selectors have dropped Jerome Taylor from the squad, forcing at least one change to their XI. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel will be taking his place and lead the bowling attack. Sunil Narine has been wicketless in last two games and can turn out to very dangerous.

Probable XI:

Andre Fletcher, Johnston Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (WK), Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Braithwaite, Sunil Narine, Sulieman, Shannon Gabriel

Australia:

Australia opted for three changes in the rain-washed game. Strike bowler Mitchell Starc, hard-hitting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Scott Boland came in for Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile and the 22-year-old Travis Head.

With two fifty-plus scores in as many games, Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith will be the backbone of the Australian batting order. The skipper had decided to play through pain in the previous match but luckily didn’t have to do so. The 27-year-old, who had indicated that the chances of him playing in the final stages were less likely, would now be able to play after the much-needed break to recover.

Probable XI:

Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (C), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (WK), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland

Pitch & Conditions:

The Kensington Oval surface will assist batsman. The rains, however, had made the outfield bit tricky. The forecast for tomorrow suggests some possibility of rain again.

Stats:

• Denesh Ramdin needs 14 runs to reach 2000 in ODIs, and he would be the first West Indies wicketkeeper to reach that milestone
• Marlon Samuels needs 67 runs to reach 5000 in ODIs, and he would be the 10th West Indies batsman to reach that milestone
• Mitchell Starc needs five wickets to reach 100 in ODIs, and if he does so in his next three games he will be the quickest man in history to the milestone