For discussion about the match between Australia and India at Bridgetown.
Preview below.
The two heavyweights of Cricket clash of in their first T20I match in over two years. In the last meeting Australia won comfortably, rolling India for 74 and chasing that in 11 overs. However, both sides have changed their lineup since that meeting, 6 Indians remain from that match while only 3 Aussies are in the Caribbean.
Australia also head into the match with two convincing wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh provided more of a fight than Pakistan but lacked the finishing touches to pull of another upset against Australia. On paper the Australian batting lineup is a fearsome sight but an alarming pattern is starting to occur when the openers get out. In both matches the middle order has collapsed for not many. The first time against Pakistan had little effect on the match thanks to Watson and David Hussey, however the second collapse would have sent shockwaves through Pakistan as Australia were reduced to 6/65 before the steady touch of Hussey and the young gun Steven Smith, rescued the fast sinking ship.
The bowling has been a strength for Australia, in particular the pace trio of Johnson, Nannes and Tait which has grabbed journalist and fans attention across the globe. It was more than likely the big reason why Australia were considered favourites ahead of India to take out the tournament. Tait has proved very difficult to get away, Johnson likewise in his only match before succumbing to injury against Bangladesh. Nannes was expensive in his first match but took wickets and he rectified the expensive part against Bangladesh on his way to his best T20I figures of 4-18. The spin is not the strength of the bowling attack but David Hussey has proved more than useful and Smith’s leggies have nabbed 3 wickets.
The match shapes up as another cracker between these two cricket giants. The Barbados pitch should play into Australia’s favour with the 3 man pace attack. How the Indian batsmen play the Aussie trio, will go a long way to deciding the match.
Key Players
For Australia: Pre tournament the pace trio and opening batsmen were the big talking points and they will head Australia charge for victory.
For India: Raina, Yuvrag and Harbhajan are the key players Australia will need to watch out for. Raina is the in form Indian batsmen, while Yuvrag and Harbhajan have caused the Aussies a few problems in the past.
Key Matchups
Gambhir, Vijay, Raina vs Tait, Nannes, Johnson: Aggression vs Pace, the winner of this battle will give their team first points.
India spinners vs Aussie batsmen: Bangladesh once again exposed Australia’s spin weakness, captain Clarke caught of the bowling of part timer Ashraful, White clean bowled by Shakib and the spinners taking 4 out of the 6 wickets. India have a similarly good spin attack and Australia will need to find a way to get them a way to post a competitive total.
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Preview below.
The two heavyweights of Cricket clash of in their first T20I match in over two years. In the last meeting Australia won comfortably, rolling India for 74 and chasing that in 11 overs. However, both sides have changed their lineup since that meeting, 6 Indians remain from that match while only 3 Aussies are in the Caribbean.
India head into this match on the back of their recently completed IPL and convincing wins over Afghanistan and South Africa. Batting is India’s biggest strength and they showed this in their last match against South Africa where they smashed their bowlers for 186. Raina continued his IPL form with a blistering 101 from 60 balls, the third T20I hundred. The bowling unit doesn’t have the fear factor that Australia and South Africa get through their express pacemen but the spinners have proved to be more than effective. Australia showed their spin weakness is still around and India will be looking to exploit that.
Australia also head into the match with two convincing wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh provided more of a fight than Pakistan but lacked the finishing touches to pull of another upset against Australia. On paper the Australian batting lineup is a fearsome sight but an alarming pattern is starting to occur when the openers get out. In both matches the middle order has collapsed for not many. The first time against Pakistan had little effect on the match thanks to Watson and David Hussey, however the second collapse would have sent shockwaves through Pakistan as Australia were reduced to 6/65 before the steady touch of Hussey and the young gun Steven Smith, rescued the fast sinking ship.
The bowling has been a strength for Australia, in particular the pace trio of Johnson, Nannes and Tait which has grabbed journalist and fans attention across the globe. It was more than likely the big reason why Australia were considered favourites ahead of India to take out the tournament. Tait has proved very difficult to get away, Johnson likewise in his only match before succumbing to injury against Bangladesh. Nannes was expensive in his first match but took wickets and he rectified the expensive part against Bangladesh on his way to his best T20I figures of 4-18. The spin is not the strength of the bowling attack but David Hussey has proved more than useful and Smith’s leggies have nabbed 3 wickets.
The match shapes up as another cracker between these two cricket giants. The Barbados pitch should play into Australia’s favour with the 3 man pace attack. How the Indian batsmen play the Aussie trio, will go a long way to deciding the match.
Key Players
For Australia: Pre tournament the pace trio and opening batsmen were the big talking points and they will head Australia charge for victory.
For India: Raina, Yuvrag and Harbhajan are the key players Australia will need to watch out for. Raina is the in form Indian batsmen, while Yuvrag and Harbhajan have caused the Aussies a few problems in the past.
Key Matchups
Gambhir, Vijay, Raina vs Tait, Nannes, Johnson: Aggression vs Pace, the winner of this battle will give their team first points.
India spinners vs Aussie batsmen: Bangladesh once again exposed Australia’s spin weakness, captain Clarke caught of the bowling of part timer Ashraful, White clean bowled by Shakib and the spinners taking 4 out of the 6 wickets. India have a similarly good spin attack and Australia will need to find a way to get them a way to post a competitive total.
More...
) so I it's going to be an even contest.
