Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 4: Australia v Afghanistan Preview Dream11. AUS vs AFG Preview Dream11 Prediction

A nation with a great World Cup story meets a nation with a great story. Full stop.

Afghanistan will take the field for their second straight World Cup appearance. Their qualification to the tournament was one for the miracle books, coming back from the wilderness to secure qualification last year in Zimbabwe. But, nothing compares to the cricket miracle achieved by this side over the past decade. A change of captaincy so close to the tournament, frowned upon by some players, has thrown a little spanner in the works. However, there is no doubt this side will give their absolute all in each game they play. Can they give the Aussies a scare or two?

Australia, the most successful team in World Cups, begin a campaign full of optimism. Heading into March 2019, they hadn’t won an ODI series for over two years. However, they have hit form at the right time, winning each of their last eight ODIs, including coming from 2-0 down to beat India in India. Steve Smith and David Warner are officially back, and they will be keen to make a strong start. Will Australia put in a clinical display right away?

Also read: Will Australia win the World Cup? 5 big predictions for World Cup 2019

Key to an Australia win

Australia’s bowling attack is a key reason why they are considered World Cup contenders by many. The stage is set for the Mitchell Starc, man of the tournament in the last World Cup, and Pat Cummins to set the tone against an inexperienced batting lineup in English conditions. There is no doubt Australia can’t afford to be complacent, with the likes of Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi all capable of contributing to the Afghanistan cause. Also, this could be a big opportunity for the third seamer (i.e. Coulter-Nile, Behrendhorff or Richardson) to make a mark and set things up for Australia.

Also, eyes will be on David Warner (if fit) and Steve Smith. Warner was outstanding in the recently concluded IPL, topping the run scoring chart with ease. His glute injury is being monitored, with confirmation on game day as to his inclusion. Smith has had an outstanding preparation to this tournament, scoring 89*, 91*, 76 and 116 in his last four knocks. There is little doubt they will come out to hostile receptions at this World Cup, but there is also little doubt of the hunger they possess. If they can lead the way with the bat, Australia have plenty of talent to support them (i.e. Khawaja and Maxwell), overcoming Afghanistan’s spin abilities in English conditions and getting their tournament off to a good start.

Key to an Afghanistan win

This would be one of the all-time upsets.

While plenty rests on what trouble the spinners can cause Australia, so much also rests on how well the batsmen can handle Australia’s attack. Concerns came to the fore in their second Warm-up match against England, falling to 94/8, a few days after a fine win against Pakistan. Getting through the first powerplay relatively unscathed is crucial, with Mohammad Shahzad a player that can catch Australia off-guard. With the likes of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi able to occupy the crease, Afghanistan need to hold their own and keep wickets in hand for the final overs.

Also read: 3 good changes to see after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Also, can Rashid Khan have a day out in his first ever World Cup match? This phenomenon has taken the world by storm since Afghanistan’s first World Cup appearance, and he will be a key man with the ball. Should Gulbadin Naib go to spin straight away against David Warner, with a focus on seam bringing the ball back into Aaron Finch? To have hope of competing, Afghanistan need to display some tactical nous that helps build some pressure, ideally having the spinners bowl to Australia’s middle order in the middle overs.

Pitch and conditions

The forecast shows partly cloudy conditions with no rain. In the last game at Bristol, just 16 days ago, England chased down 359 against Pakistan with five overs to spare.

Possible Playing 11

David Warner is set to open the innings for Australia if fit. If he is ruled out, Usman Khawaja will open, with Shaun Marsh to play in the middle order. If Warner plays, Khawaja will likely go to three and Marsh to miss out. Also, Australia have four options for the fourth specialist bowler – Coulter-Nile, Behrendhorff, Richardson or Lyon.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 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/Jason Behrendhorff, 11. Adam Zampa

Plenty depends on what sort of resistance Afghanistan’s top order can display. Will they feel Hazratullah Zazai can score quick runs?

Afghanistan: 1. Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2. Noor Ali Zadran/Hazratullah Zazai, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Asghar Afghan, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Gulbadin Naib (c), 10. Dawlat Zadran, 11. Mujeeb ur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 1, Australia 1, Afghanistan 0.
• Australia have played Afghanistan twice in ODIs, with the last being in the 2015 World Cup. Australia won by 275 runs. This is the second-biggest margin of victory in ODIs.
• Rashid Khan is ranked the number three bowler in ODIs, behind Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

Match Prediction

Australia, one of the World Cup favourites, will be out for a good performance. So too Afghanistan, who will be sure to put on their best effort. However, Australia should prove too good for Afghanistan.

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