Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 38: AUS vs WI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs WI Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs West Indies Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

Before the tournament, many predicted that West Indies would be on their way to the Semi Finals by this stage, while Australia would be fighting hard just to stay alive. However, the Windies have arguably been the tournament’s most disappointing team, crashing out of the group stage, while Australia have put themselves in pole position to qualify.

Aaron Finch’s team had the perfect day out two days ago against a hapless Bangladesh side. The bowlers, led by Adam Zampa, blew the Bangladeshis away for 73, which Australia chased in just 6.2 overs. Incredibly, they went ahead of South Africa on net run rate, which puts the Aussies in the driver’s seat to qualify for the Semi Finals as the Proteas have a tough test against England later today.

But, Australia must beware of a Windies team with nothing to lose. Who knows what kind of Windies team will show up on a day like this, so the Australians need to be on their game from the get go after such an easy outing 48 hours ago. A strong performance here will go a very long way to achieving qualification to the Semi Finals – a great result for a team that still doesn’t quite fully understand its T20 strategy.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia:

• Aaron Finch is finding some of his best touch again, but the challenge will be to continue that today. He smashed Bangladesh’s bowlers to all parts in his 20-ball 40, after scores of 37 and 44 against Sri Lanka and England respectively.
• Finch scored 127 runs in five matches against West Indies earlier this year (avg. 25.40, SR 122.11). But, Finch will be looking to improve on a poor record at Abu Dhabi: 6 inns, 58 runs, avg. 9.67, SR 81.69.
• David Warner last played a T20I vs West Indies back in 2014. He has scored 311 runs against them at an average of 34.56 and strike rate of 151.71. Warner has a decent record at Abu Dhabi: 7 inns, 193 runs, avg. 32.17, SR 116.27.
• Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s shining light in the T20I series vs West Indies earlier in 2021. He was the top scorer with 219 runs in five matches at an average of 43.20 and strike rate of 152.08.
• Glenn Maxwell has had a quiet Super 12s so far. He has scored 207 runs in nine career matches on this ground at an average of 29.57 and strike rate of 134.42.
• Adam Zampa is coming off a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh. He will be looking to improve on his four wickets in five matches vs West Indies (average of 35.75).
• Josh Hazlewood continues to take wickets, especially in the powerplay. West Indies have been poor in this period during the World Cup, so watch out for Hazlewood early.

West Indies:

• Evin Lewis has the potential to take the game away from Australia. He has had a disappointing tournament for someone of his ability (scores of 6, 56, 6 and 8).
• Lewis smashed 110 runs in three matches vs Australia earlier this year at an average of 36.67 and strike rate of 220.00.
• Nicholas Pooran has rediscovered his best touch. He has smashed 40 (22) and 46 (34) in his last two matches. Also, Pooran had a decent series against Australia a few months ago, striking 96 runs at an average of 32.00 and strike rate of 126.32.
• Shimron Hetmyer was the shining light for the Windies in a disappointing display vs Sri Lanka. He smashed 81* off 54 balls. Also, Hetmyer struck 81 runs in two innings vs Australia earlier this year, including a score of 61.
• Andre Russell is woefully out of form, but he does have success against Australia. He scored 107 runs in three innings against them a few months ago at an average of 53.50 and strike rate of 198.14. He also took six wickets.
• Can Dwayne Bravo finish his T20I career on a high? He has 236 runs vs Australia at an average of 33.71 as well as eight wickets at an average of 28.50.
• Windies to play Hayden Walsh Jr? The leg-spinner dominated Australia a couple of months ago, taking 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 11.66 and economy rate of 7.00.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 16, Australia 6, West Indies 10.
• West Indies beat Australia 4-1 in the Caribbean, but it was a different Australian batting lineup to this one.
• Hayden Walsh Jr has dismissed Aaron Finch in all three innings he’s bowled to him in T20Is.

Possible Playing 11

Australia should stick with the same XI that thrashed Bangladesh.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Mitchell Marsh, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Matthew Wade (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood

This will be Dwayne Bravo’s final T20 International, so the Windies will look to send him out on a high. West Indies could look to bring in Hayden Walsh Jr, who had a great series against Australia earlier this year.

Also, it remains to be seen if the Windies give another chance to the out-of-form Chris Gayle.

West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4. Roston Chase, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Kieron Pollard (c), 8. Jason Holder, 9. Dwayne Bravo, 10. Akeal Hosein, 11. Ravi Rampaul/Hayden Walsh Jr

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

The team batting first has won the last three matches at this ground, including Sri Lanka over West Indies on Thursday. Australia have been very strong when bowling first in 2021 (22 powerplay wickets) compared to just eight powerplay wickets bowling second. So, expect Australia to bowl first if they win the toss.

A hot and sunny day is forecast.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Nicholas Pooran
• Batsmen: Aaron Finch, Evin Lewis
• All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

A Windies team with nothing to lose is a very dangerous proposition for Australia. With the bowlers in form, however, Australia should do enough to win.