Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 10: Australia v West Indies Preview Dream11. AUS vs WI CWC19 Dream11 Prediction

Would you have been excited about this World Cup match up before 2019? If you ever wanted proof of how quickly things can change in international cricket, here it is.

Just months ago, Australia were holders of the worst ODI winning percentage of any team in the world. They won just two of 13 matches in 2018 – a year which nothing seemed to go right. Steve Smith and David Warner were rubbed out for a year, England thrashed Australia 4-1 and 5-0, and things didn’t get better against South Africa. Fast forward to June and things are looking rosier, with Australia a genuine shot at defending their World Cup crown after nine consecutive wins.

However, their credentials will be put to the test on Thursday. West Indies are another example of how quickly things can change. After all, they missed automatic qualification to the tournament, and just qualified by the skin of their teeth in Zimbabwe last year. Now, with big names back in their side, and off the back of a thumping win against Pakistan, teams better watch out for the Windies.

So, strap yourself in for this one. It’s going to be one crazy ride.

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Key to an Australia win

Pakistan bounced back brilliantly vs England after they were awful against West Indies. The Windies employed a short ball tactic that Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men could not handle. Australia will have to guard against the Windies’ use of pace and changes in length, especially so as Trent Bridge is a typically high-scoring ground and you need to score well to compete. So, can David Warner and Aaron Finch, both in good touch, get Australia off to a fast start? The Windies attack used against Pakistan could lack resources against a batting lineup that holds its own. So, an in-form Finch means good news for Australia as this can enable the likes of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith to further build the platform for Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey to propel Australia to a strong total.

Also, can Australia get the better of West Indies’ hard-hitting batting lineup? Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins found success against Afghanistan, and plenty rests on these two to provide inroads to halt the Windies’ progress. While the ever-present Chris Gayle jumps out as the obvious key wicket, Australia need to execute their plans well against the likes of Evin Lewis (if picked), Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer as well, all of whom are capable of building a platform for Andre Russell to go ballistic. Might it be worth Australia playing Nathan Lyon to open the bowling against Chris Gayle? Can Australia build pressure on the likes of Shai Hope who rely on strike rotation, given that Gayle isn’t too interested in running? Interesting battles await.

Key to a West Indies win

Can the Windies bowlers inflict more damage? They were ruthless against Pakistan, never letting up even when the opposition was significantly struggling. Oshane Thomas, who has to cut out the no-balls, is a wicket-taking threat, along with Sheldon Cottrell who is having a good 2019 so far. With Andre Russell able to provide impact along with the accuracy of Jason Holder, West Indies need to gel as a unit against an Australian batting lineup that can fire big totals. Can they find early breakthroughs, particularly via the short ball, and then build on them?

Also, the world is waiting for West Indies to bat again. A target of 106 against Pakistan was never going to be a test, so the battle between the fearless Windies and Australia’s well-rounded attack will be a fascinating battle. Chris Gayle, despite back troubles against Pakistan, will sure to look to deal in boundaries, which can put Australia right onto the back foot. Pakistan’s strong start against England on this ground a few days ago is a template for West Indies to follow, with the likes of Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran all capable of setting a strong platform. Can the Windies ensure Andre Russell, Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite have the freedom to launch?

Pitch and conditions

Some rain is forecast throughout the day in Nottingham. It could be a stop-start game until the afternoon where it will become partly cloudy. The pitch at Trent Bridge is arguably the flattest in England. Couple this with the short boundaries and you have a batting paradise… If the weather allows for it.

Possible Playing 11

Australia could look at bringing in Nathan Lyon to try keep Chris Gayle quiet. If so, this will likely be at the expense of Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was economical against Afghanistan.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Usman Khawaja, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Coulter-Nile/Nathan Lyon, 11. Adam Zampa

Darren Bravo’s form has continued to decline. If Evin Lewis is fit, expect Bravo to be dropped to keep Nicholas Pooran in the XI. Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel were left out against Pakistan – it remains to be seen if one gets a go here. Also, Andre Russell had some knee trouble against Pakistan, but he has stated he should play in this game.

West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Nicholas Pooran, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Jason Holder, 8. Carlos Brathwaite, 9. Ashley Nurse, 10. Oshane Thomas, 11. Sheldon Cottrell

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 8, Australia 3, West Indies 5.
• Australia have won their last nine ODIs.
• Shimron Hetmyer has scored four centuries and two fifties in just 25 ODIs.

Match Prediction

What a game this promises to be, provided the weather holds.

With plenty of runs potentially on offer, this will come down to which bowling attack handles the pressure better. Australia’s attack has it in them to put a big performance, and so too their batsmen, who will be tasked with playing the short ball well. Australia to win, but not by much.

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Thanks for reading!