Match Preview – AUS vs SCOT 35th Match, Group B, T20 World Cup – ‘Hell of an opportunity’

Admin June 15, 2024

0 0 4 minutes read

Match Preview – AUS vs SCOT 35th Match, Group B, T20 World Cup – ‘Hell of an opportunity’

Game details

Australia vs In Scotland
St Lucia, 8.30pm local time

Big Picture

England’s big win over Oman has ensured against any run-rate shenanigans in this game (and David Warner won’t be opening the bowling). If Namibia can’t pull off an upset against England in the hours before the game, the equation will be simple: Scotland win and they go through – although a washout will do.

A simple equation, a difficult prospect.

Scotland is not planning on the previous result to help them. “We always knew that this was going to be a game that we had to win and look, it’s a good opportunity for us to go and play cricket at a high level and take on one of the best in the world,” said Michael Leask.

Australia looked like one of the best teams in the tournament and even if, as expected, they rest a few players they will retain a very strong XI. However, Scotland played some impressive cricket themselves and have no chance of pulling off what could be one of the most famous results. Progressing to the Super Eight will also guarantee a place in the next T20 World Cup.

As they showed against Oman, the top order is full of strength, led by George Munsey, while captain Richie Berrington provides an experienced and calm influence in the middle. He and Leask had a tough encounter in the final against Namibia.

Australia have the luxury of advancing to the Super Eight stage – where they will face Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh – and can make a number of substitutions if they wish. Pat Cummins said it was a pre-tournament goal to get as many games into the team as possible.

They last met in the 2015 ODI World Cup when Australia won by seven wickets. Leask hoped that might work for them. “It’s like holding us back a bit because they don’t know what we’re capable of, considering we’re playing good cricket at the moment.”

Form guide

(last five games completed, most recent first)
AustraliaWWWWW
In Scotland WWWLWL

Highlights: Nathan Ellis and Mark Watt

As Australia may host other players Nathan Ellis he will appear to be on his way out again, which means he will play three games in the group stage. Signs that he hasn’t made it to the big leagues came when he didn’t play for England, but he’s a consistent player when called upon. It’s hard to make a case for leaving the other fast, but Ellis’s skiddy style and his excellent orker provide a nice contrast.

Mark Watt he is a smart and intelligent left-arm spinner – his 24-yard delivery is much talked about – who in the last T20 World Cup in Australia became the center of attention for his pocket notes against the West Indies. He can work in different stages of the innings and against Oman he took the new ball – as it was more expensive than usual in Namibia – although repeating that may not be possible compared to left-handed openers Warner and Travis. The head.

Club news: Green’s potential exit; Curry can come back

Australia have strongly suggested there will be a rotation, but who stays out remains to be seen. It would seem sensible not to rush Mitchell Starc back while, given the compressed schedule from the Super Eight onwards, there may be some consideration in bringing in Marcus Stoinis. Cameron Green, Ashton Agar and Josh Inglis are still to play.

Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis/Cameron Green, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Brad Currie missed the Oman game with a hamstring injury but Leask said everyone is ready to return in place of Safyaan Sharif.

In Scotland (probable) 1 George Munsey, 2 Michael Jones, 3 Brandon McMullen, 4 Richie Berrington (capt), 5 Matthew Cross (wk), 6 Michael Leask, 7 Chris Greaves, 8 Mark Watt, 9 Chris Sole, 10 Brad Wheal, 11 Brad Currie.

Tone and context

This is the first game of the tournament for St Lucia, so it’s another field the teams will get used to. Australia will return with their Super Eight match against India and Scotland or England will face the West Indies at the stadium named after their coach Daren Sammy. The forecast suggests only a slight chance of showers. A reminder, no result is good enough for Scotland.

Important statistics

George Munsey needs 29 runs to reach 2000 in T20Is. He will become only the second Scotland player to reach that mark after Richie Berrington

Among players who have scored at least 500 T20 runs this year, Travis Head has the third highest strike rate of 183.57, behind Jake Fraser-McGurk and Andre Russell. If the cut-off is 700 runs (with 21 players) Head is No.

Australia have played nine T20Is in St Lucia with a winning record of 5-4, although they lost 4-1 in 2021. It is the venue for its most famous T20 win when Mike Hussey pulled off a stunning knock in the semi final of the 2010 T20 World Cup.

Since the start of 2023, no team has scored faster on the powerplay than Australia’s 10.08.

Quotes

“I think coming here a lot of us are prepared for a lot of spin depending on where you get it. I know this is a good wicket. I think this could be the place we play against India so that will be good. But, yes, we will get a lot of spin. We don’t expect nothing different and they will all, on their day, be very difficult teams to beat.”
Matthew Wade keeping a close eye on the Super Eight

“I think it would be a proud moment for Scottish cricket if we go through to the Super Eight. And look, let’s not knock it out. It’s going to be a tough road. We know we’re going to have to win. Australia
Michael Leask chance to beat Australia

Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo

Source link

Admin June 15, 2024

0 0 4 minutes read