PlanetCricket
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- Jan 13, 2010
Australia’s latest T20 campaign begins in the early hours of tomorrow morning (Australian time). The selectors began this quest with a revamp in their selection policy, with more emphasis placed on guys that have been playing well in the KFC Big Bash and the IPL instead of just picking the ODI squad. This point is proven perfectly by Dirk Nannes finally been picked in the Australian squad, in the previous tournament he represented Netherlands and showed the selectors what they missed out on.
Australia kick off their campaign against Pakistan who beat Bangladesh by 21 runs, earlier today. Pakistan’s batters led the way with both openers making 73 runs, Butt striking at 159 with Akmal providing a valuable supporting role, taking the defending champions to a competitive 172. Aamer showed his class by being the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 16 off his 4 overs. Afridi was disappointing in both departments but is never one you write off. Sami and Ajmal were the other picks for Pakistan.
The spin of Afridi, Ajmal and Hafeez should play a key roles in this match, especially given how poor Australian batsmen have been against spin. In the last encounter, Pakistan bowled Australia out for 127 with the now suspended Malik taking 2-31 with his off spinners and Ajmal proving difficult to get away, conceding 18 from his 3 overs. In Afridi’s last match played in Dubai against Australia, he took 3 for 14 and Ajmal again was effective with 1 for 19. In that match Australia were again bowled out cheaply, this time Pakistan’s batsmen did the job.
The pace bowling trio of Johnson, Tait and Nannes is a key factor to why the bookies have made Australia favourites for this tournament. All three were bowling over 150km/h earlier in the year, on their day they can destroy an opposition in the powerplay overs. However on their off day, you could see something like the 214 scored by NZ, admittedly Johnson was not part of that attack but it does show what could happen.
Clearly Australia’s batsmen have struggled against Pakistan’s bowlers. If Australia want to win this match, the batsmen must find a way to get a hold of Pakistan’s spinners, that is assuming they survive the pace threat from Aamer and Sami. For Pakistan, they will be hoping for more of the same from their bowlers and a similar batting display from their game against Bangladesh.
Key Match Ups
David Warner and Shane Watson vs Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Sami: This battle could well decide the match, Australia have been very reliant on both these players over the summer, Warner has been in sizzling form throughout the IPL which he continued in the warm up. Aamer has continued on his merry way ever since his debut and Sami is making the most of this latest opportunity.
Australian bowlers vs Afridi and Razzaq: Both Afridi and Razzaq have caused problems for Australia in the past, in particular the ODI format. If the Australian bowlers can’t get either of these two early, they may cause real havoc.
Pakistan spinners vs David Hussey and Cameron White: As mentioned earlier, the Pakistan spinners should play a key role at Gros Islet which is known for its slow nature. The men most likely to face the spinners lie in the Australian middle order. David Hussey and Cameron White are known for being good hitters against the spinners and they could be the answer to getting the spinners away.
Key Players
For Australia: There are a number of players you could place this tag on. Warner, Watson, White in the batting along with Tait, Nannes and Johnson in the bowling.
For Pakistan: Afridi and Aamer are obviously the big threats with Razzaq, Sami and Ajmal the other players Australia will need to watch out for.
Likely XI
The final warm up game against Windward Islands suggest Hauritz, Christian, Paine and Harris will be left out.
Austalia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), David Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait
Pakistan are unlikely to change a winning lineup and should lineup like they did against Bangladesh. Its a lottery guessing their batting order but Umar Akmal could move up the order.
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal (wk), Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi (c), Abdul Razzaq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal
More...
Australia kick off their campaign against Pakistan who beat Bangladesh by 21 runs, earlier today. Pakistan’s batters led the way with both openers making 73 runs, Butt striking at 159 with Akmal providing a valuable supporting role, taking the defending champions to a competitive 172. Aamer showed his class by being the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 16 off his 4 overs. Afridi was disappointing in both departments but is never one you write off. Sami and Ajmal were the other picks for Pakistan.
The spin of Afridi, Ajmal and Hafeez should play a key roles in this match, especially given how poor Australian batsmen have been against spin. In the last encounter, Pakistan bowled Australia out for 127 with the now suspended Malik taking 2-31 with his off spinners and Ajmal proving difficult to get away, conceding 18 from his 3 overs. In Afridi’s last match played in Dubai against Australia, he took 3 for 14 and Ajmal again was effective with 1 for 19. In that match Australia were again bowled out cheaply, this time Pakistan’s batsmen did the job.
The pace bowling trio of Johnson, Tait and Nannes is a key factor to why the bookies have made Australia favourites for this tournament. All three were bowling over 150km/h earlier in the year, on their day they can destroy an opposition in the powerplay overs. However on their off day, you could see something like the 214 scored by NZ, admittedly Johnson was not part of that attack but it does show what could happen.
Clearly Australia’s batsmen have struggled against Pakistan’s bowlers. If Australia want to win this match, the batsmen must find a way to get a hold of Pakistan’s spinners, that is assuming they survive the pace threat from Aamer and Sami. For Pakistan, they will be hoping for more of the same from their bowlers and a similar batting display from their game against Bangladesh.
Key Match Ups
David Warner and Shane Watson vs Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Sami: This battle could well decide the match, Australia have been very reliant on both these players over the summer, Warner has been in sizzling form throughout the IPL which he continued in the warm up. Aamer has continued on his merry way ever since his debut and Sami is making the most of this latest opportunity.
Australian bowlers vs Afridi and Razzaq: Both Afridi and Razzaq have caused problems for Australia in the past, in particular the ODI format. If the Australian bowlers can’t get either of these two early, they may cause real havoc.
Pakistan spinners vs David Hussey and Cameron White: As mentioned earlier, the Pakistan spinners should play a key role at Gros Islet which is known for its slow nature. The men most likely to face the spinners lie in the Australian middle order. David Hussey and Cameron White are known for being good hitters against the spinners and they could be the answer to getting the spinners away.
Key Players
For Australia: There are a number of players you could place this tag on. Warner, Watson, White in the batting along with Tait, Nannes and Johnson in the bowling.
For Pakistan: Afridi and Aamer are obviously the big threats with Razzaq, Sami and Ajmal the other players Australia will need to watch out for.
Likely XI
The final warm up game against Windward Islands suggest Hauritz, Christian, Paine and Harris will be left out.
Austalia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), David Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait
Pakistan are unlikely to change a winning lineup and should lineup like they did against Bangladesh. Its a lottery guessing their batting order but Umar Akmal could move up the order.
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal (wk), Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi (c), Abdul Razzaq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal
More...
