Missing out on the services of their premier squad members, Australia seem to be struggling to find a proper balance to beat this mighty West Indies side.
They made mockery of an easy chase in the first T20I, failed miserably in the second game and eventually lost the series in their third assignment against the ‘Men in Maroon.’
Australia’s main concern has been their batting department. Missing the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, their team really needed someone to step up and score with a good strike-rate. Only three of their players have managed to score 50+ runs in the games combined with a very decent scoring-rate to their name. Even the bowling looks a bit worrisome as their three premier bowlers for the series (Mitch Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Adam Zampa) who are likely to be among their first choice options for the upcoming T20 WC have struggled to put on a show together. The three of them have just 5 wickets among themselves and have been equal contributors for their series loss.
On the other hand, West Indies have had different match-winning contribution for the three games played. Andre Russell in the first; Dwayne Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer along with Dre Russ in the second; Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in the third game, have once again showed the world for why this is a fearsome T20 cricket team in the world currently.
In contrast to the Aussies, the West Indies bowlers have been on the mark as they haven’t allowed the opponent to score in excess of 145 in any of the three games played in the series so far.
Along with players getting the opportunity to prepare for the T20 World Cup, Australia need a collective effort from their Men if they are to give any fight to this giant opponent in the shortest format of the game.
Probable Australia XI: Andre Fletcher /Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran (c/wk), Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Obed McCoy
West Indies look to have all the bases covered for this version of the game and will love continuing their aggressive approach in the remaining two games in the series.
Probable West Indies XI: Matthew Wade (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Starc, Riley Meredith, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Chris Gayle (almost 42), while playing the destructive knock of 67(38) with 7 sixes has once again reminded us that ‘age is just a number’. In process, he became the first player to cross 14000 runs in all forms of T20s.
While speaking at the post match interview, he said “You guys should be happy to see Chris Gayle on the field still. Hopefully Chris will last as long as possible. Cherish those moments. Just Respect the Universe Boss and let him play Cricket and have some fun. Next target is reaching 15000 mark in T20s”
Dream 11: Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques, Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Shimron Hetmyer, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Marsh (vc), Andre Russell (c), Mitchell Starc, Riley Meredith, Hayden Walsh
