West Indies
Australia
Australia
Match abandoned without a ball being bowled
West Indies’ big challenge to level the series
Australia to win
West Indies had come into the ODI series with their confidence sky high, but they suffered a massive loss in the last game. Poor batting and failure to adjust to the conditions saw the side going down by 133 runs in the last game. Having already conceded the lead to the visitors, the hosts would be looking to level the series in this game.
West Indies have had a poor record against the Australians in this format of the game and have lost nine out of the last ten games. They haven’t won a game at this venue against the Australians in the last 20 years and this would hurt their confidence. It will be interesting to see if the hosts are able to bounce back in this game and level the series.
It was an extremely poor show from Kieron Pollard’s side in the last game. They had done well with the ball to keep Australians to an average total but messed it up with the bat to suffer the massive loss. None of their top order batsmen occupied the crease leading to their loss in the game. Pollard would be looking for an improved show from his players in this game to level the series.
The side would need a good start in this game from Evin Lewis and Shai Hope who is expected to come into this game. Shimron Hetmyer is the perfect player at No.3 and this is the change the side would have to make. Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran didn’t contribute in the middle order and shall have to come up with a better show here. Pollard did well and he would have to do the big hitting in this game alongside Jason Holder and Alzaari Joseph.
The bowling attack has done well against Australia in this series. Hayden Walsh has got inside the head of the Australians and would be confident after his fifer. The side would need early wickets from Sheldon Cottrell and Jason Holder. Akeal Hosein justified his selection in the last game and needs to keep things tight with Jason Mohammad and Alzarri Joseph.
Kieron Pollard (c), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K Pollard | 56 | 57 | 5 | 3 | 98.25 |
| H Walsh | 20 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 76.92 |
| A Joseph | 17 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 51.52 |
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| H Walsh | 10.0 | 0 | 39 | 5 | 3.9 |
| A Hosein | 10.0 | 1 | 50 | 2 | 5 |
| A Joseph | 10.0 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 4 |
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H Walsh | 10.0 | 0 | 39 | 5 | 3.9 |
| A Hosein | 10.0 | 1 | 50 | 2 | 5 |
| A Joseph | 10.0 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 4 |
They came into this series under pressure, but stand-in skipper Alex Carey would be proud of the way his boys played in the last game. They not only defeated the hosts but would have surely dented confidence in the opposition camp. Carey would want his side to carry on with the same momentum in the next game and win the series.
Ben McDermott and Josh Phillippe looked good in the last game and they shall look forward to setting up a good stand here. Mitchell Marsh has had a great tour and needs to do well in the middle order with Alex Carey and Moises Henriques. Henriques has missed out in most games and must contribute with the bat. Ashton Turner did well in the last game and along with Matthew Wade adds depth to this line-up.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc demolished the hosts in the last game and similar efforts would be expected from them in this game. Adam Zampa went for few runs and he would look to correct his line and length in this game. With Mitchell Marsh and Wes Agar showing good form the Australians have the right bowling attack to win this game.
Alex Carey (c & wk), Matthew Wade, Josh Phillippe, Ben McDermott, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Wes Agar, Josh Hazlewood
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Carey | 67 | 87 | 5 | 2 | 77.01 |
| A Turner | 49 | 45 | 2 | 2 | 108.89 |
| J Philippe | 39 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 92.86 |
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| M Starc | 8.0 | 1 | 48 | 5 | 6 |
| J Hazlewood | 6.0 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 1.83 |
| A Zampa | 3.2 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 11.7 |
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Starc | 8.0 | 1 | 48 | 5 | 6 |
| J Hazlewood | 6.0 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 1.83 |
| A Zampa | 3.2 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 11.7 |
| Hr | Temp | Rain | W. speed | W. direction | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00h | 27 | 0.67 mm. | 8.32 k/h | From: ENE | 75% |
| 03h | 26 | 0.19 mm. | 8.25 k/h | From: E | 83% |
| 06h | 26 | 0 mm. | 7.11 k/h | From: E | 92% |
| 09h | 26 | 0.12 mm. | 6.65 k/h | From: E | 100% |
| 12h | 26 | 0.12 mm. | 7.62 k/h | From: E | 100% |
| 15h | 27 | 0 mm. | 6.31 k/h | From: E | 97% |
| 18h | 27 | 0 mm. | 6.75 k/h | From: E | 70% |
| 21h | 26 | 0 mm. | 5.98 k/h | From: E | 83% |
There are predictions for rains in Barbados on July 23 and the batting conditions are expected to be difficult. The ball is expected to stop on the batsmen as we had seen in the last game and bowlers would enjoy the conditions here. The side batting first would be happy to reach a score of 280 runs.
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados doesn’t have the best batting surface in the world. The ball doesn’t come onto the bat nicely as there is variable pace and bounce. There isn’t much on the surface for the fast bowlers. Spinners have enjoyed good success here as the ball stops on the batsmen and also turns sharply.
The side chasing the score have always found it difficult on this surface as it gets slower, and the ball doesn’t come on to the bat as we had seen in the last game. Hence, the captain winning the toss here shouldn’t have any hesitation in batting first.
West Indies put up a terrible show in the last game with their top order collapsing. The nature of the wicket here isn’t conducive to their style of play as they are known for being hard hitters of the ball. They will have to adjust their playing style to win the game here. Australians have taken an important lead in the series and ticked all the boxes in the last game and they would start favorites here.
Australia to win
