ICC World Cup 2019 Match 10, Australia v West Indies: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

“Oh, Starcy will knock his off pole out. It will be easy … He’s getting older. I don’t know if he’s faced much of Starcy and Paddy recently but they are bowling quick,” said Nathan Coulter-Nile before the Australia–West Indies World Cup clash. He was referring to Chris Gayle.

As is often the case with the Australians before a big match, the mind games have started. This is a battle you cannot miss. Imagine Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Adam Zampa pitted against Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, and Andre Russell – and, of course, Gayle, on a flat Trent Bridge track. Can anything be as spectacular?

It is the other innings, however, that may be a matter of concern for West Indies. Oshane Thomas and Russell had bounced out Pakistan the other day, with excellent support from Sheldon Cottrell and Jason Holder. However, the bouncers strategy is unlikely to work against Australians, who have been brought up on short-pitched balls. Will there be a change in strategy? Let us see.

Head to head

The rivalry goes back a long way, and Australia lead the head-to-head 73-60. The West Indian dominance of the 1980s (31-13) were cancelled out by the Australian one in the new millennium (36-8).

The teams have met 5 times in England, all of them in World Cup cricket. West Indies had won twice in 1975 and twice more in 1983, but Australia won the most recent encounter – though that was 20 years ago.

Key players

Mitchell Starc (Australia): It had taken him three balls to take a wicket with sheer pace in the Afghanistan match. Starc, Player of the Series in the 2015 World Cup, is back at his pomp. Taking out the openers will cause a severe dent in the West Indian line-up.

Chris Gayle (West Indies): The Australians have been targeting him even before the match, but “Universe Boss” does enjoy the big stage. If his form is anything remotely close to the England series, the Australians are in for some punishment.

Likely XIs

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa.

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Prediction

Australian to win, with their batsmen playing a key role.