Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Australia vs West Indies | Friday 28 March | Dhaka | 11:30
With both sides undoubtedly shaken from their opening losses, this encounter boils down to desperation, the pair in danger of being knocked out if they were to lose another game. The Group of Death has already taken shape, with India powering themselves to two relatively easy victories against supposedly strong opponents, who should have fared better. Pakistan exacted revenge for that loss by beating the Australians and with the West Indies looking tame, both are in dire straits. The West Indies have the advantage of added match practice against Bangladesh, the result not a particularly adequate reflection of the West Indian performance however, while the Aussies will feel they are capable of far better than their capitulation at the hands of Pakistan.
To Win
Australia 11/20
Tie 35/1
West Indies 29/20
Australia
How the Aussies conspired to lose against Pakistan was a rare sight in the world of cricket. Australia had their opponents 25/2 after five overs, in their innings took thirty from a Bilawal Bhatti over, had both set batsmen dropped twice in the space of three balls and had Glenn Maxwell score a half-century from eighteen balls. They still lost, comfortably. The fact that the fielding of their own was poor and none of the batsmen except Finch and Maxwell reached double figures goes some way to illuminate Australia’s disastrous opening to the competition. Of course, solace can be taken from both Finch and Maxwell’s fantastic innings, the former scoring 65 from 54 balls and the latter 74 from a mere 33. However, as both were dismissed, the runs dried up against the Pakistani spinners and suddenly Australia needed ten-an-over against the likes Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul. Of course, the Aussies collapsed in a heap but will be hopeful that their potent top order can fire against the West Indies. Apart from Finch and Maxwell, Shane Watson and David Warner are as good as it comes to striking the ball. Of the fourteen batsmen to have scored over 1000 runs in T20 internationals, the two Australians are among only four players who have a strike rate of 140.00 or above.
West Indies
The defending champions have arrived at the tournament as if in a trance. It’s not a lazy sort of overconfidence or a relaxed swagger, it’s almost complete indifference to proceedings. They sleep-walked their innings against India, their bizarre complacence resulting in a paltry 129/7 off of their twenty overs. Of course, credit must be given to the Indian bowlers but considering the fielding was shoddy, West Indies showed little intent. The same can be said for the much of their innings against Bangladesh. Although they finished on 171, there were times that runs off the bat had dried up and extras, byes and fumbles in particular, were pushing the scoring rate along. There was a generous helping of extras against India as well, while Chris Gayle’s 34 from 33 balls was his slowest knock of thirty or more, until he scored 48 at a run a ball against Bangladesh. Clearly, Gayle is struggling. Dwayne Smith laboured to 11 from 29 deliveries before being put out of his misery against India. Against Bangladesh he fared far better with 72 from 43 and the West Indies will look to him to put the pressure on the Australians up front, while Gayle plays himself in. The slow scoring in the West Indies top order has put pressure on those following, who have largely failed. The West Indies possess so much firepower in their ranks, one can’t help but feel largely disappointed at their benign nature. It is clear that opponents are attempting to keep the big hitters quiet in an effort to force mistakes. So far, it has only resulted in a waiting game.
Venue
Dhaka will play host to this bitter rivalry and so far, scores have been rather up and down. However, Pakistan scored in excess of 190 and India have steamed past the totals they have had to chase. Batting first, a side will only feel safe with around 200 on the board. The weather forecast is clear.
VERDICT: Australia 11/20
The Windies simply do not look the finished article this year. Their bowling, especially the spin contingent, is one that the Aussies will be wary of, but I can’t see the West Indies scoring enough playing the way that they have so far. This is one for the favourites. Get on.
