West Indies vs Australia – 2nd T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs Australia taking place? Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 00:30 (UK)
Where is West Indies vs Australia taking place? Daren Sammy National Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
What is the expected weather for West Indies vs Australia? 15-16c with clear skies and light winds
What channel is West Indies vs Australia on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport in the UK
Where can I stream West Indies vs Australia? BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website and app
LAST MEETING
West Indies beat Australia by 18 runs.
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- After only managing a total of 145/6 in their innings, the West Indies bowlers put on a clinic to bowl Australia out for 127, giving the Windies victory in the opening match of this T20i series.
- The Windies had Andre Russell to thank with the bat after the explosive all-rounder hit a quickfire 51 to give themselves a defendable total, before the bowlers took charge, with Obed McCoy particularly impressive bowling left arm pace, picking up four wickets.
- Captain Kieran Pollard missed out on the first T20i due to a hamstring injury and is a big doubt for this second match, with Nicholas Pooran set to deputise once again as skipper should the big hitting star be absent.
AUSTRALIA
- Captain Aaron Finch will be desperately disappointed at how the Australian batting line-up wilted in the first T20i, which saw their final five wickets taken for just 19 runs.
- A half-century from Mitchell Marsh did represent a positive in a strong all-round performance that saw him also pick up two wickets, whilst Josh Hazlewood justified Finch’s selection of him ahead of a third spin-bowler, after taking three wickets at an incredible economy rate of just three runs an over.
- After such a poor collapse with the willow, Finch may look to tinker with the batting line-up for the second T20i, with wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey no doubt hoping for an opportunity to play.
THE PREDICTION
Despite the absence of their captain, the West Indies found a way to pull through in the first T20i against a weakened Australia T20 side missing several star names who haven’t made the trip. The hosts have established themselves as such a strong, established team at this format of the game, but whilst their explosive batting line-up normally gains the plaudits, it was their bowling that stole the show this time. With such a fast turnaround before the second T20i, Australia have little time to recover from defeat, which could go either way in terms of whether that plays in their favour or not. However, with the likes of David Warner, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell all absent, it is difficult to see their batting line-up matching whatever the West Indies score, whether it be setting or chasing a target. When taking that into account, a second successive home win looks on the cards in this one.
