West Indies vs Australia, 2nd T20I: Fantasy Preview

The more things change, the more they remain the same. That is Australia’s batting unit in T20 cricket in a nutshell. In Australia’s recent white-ball setup, one can count genuine hitters of international quality on the fingertips. But, three from among that small list: David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis did not travel to the Caribbean. 

From among those that did, a player that opens in Big Bash, Josh Philippe, batted at four. The one who bats at five, Mitchell Marsh, batted three and the one who bats in the top-order, Ben McDermott, batted at six. With the team strategy being all over the place, Australia succumbed under the spin of Hayden Walsh and the variations of Obed McCoy to lose their last nine wickets for 81 runs. Last five of them for only 10.

In a quick turnaround, both teams will stay in St Lucia, which remains the venue for the second T20I as well.

Ground Details and Team Combination

In the last three years, the pacers have picked 72% of the wickets at this venue with a balls over wicket record of 14.2 as compared to 18.8 for spinners. In the first T20I as well, 10 out of the 15 wickets taken by the bowlers were against the pacers.

Suggested Team

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI. 

Captain Suggestion

Since the start of the series against South Africa, Obed McCoy has been on fire. In six T20Is he has 13 wickets against his name. Bowling at the death with a plethora of variations helps him take wickets in a heap. It is tough to look past him as the choice for the captain of your fantasy team.

X-Factors

1. Andre Russell is a must in your XI. Not only does he contributes with bat and ball but usually brings his best against Australia, as his average of 74 versus them suggests.
2. Due to the absence of a lot of players, Matthew Wade finally has a chance to bat at the position he thrives at which is opening the innings. As an opener, he has an average of an impressive 32.2 in T20Is. With Nicholas Pooran in an indifferent form. Wade should be your choice for the wicket-keeper.

Here are the top-10 picks as per criclytics projected points-

If you are short on credits, here are the top value for money picks from among those who are likely to feature in the XI-

Value for money picks

Player updates 

Kieron Pollard sat out of the first T20I due to a niggle. Hence, keep a look out if he is there on the team sheet. He is projected to fetch around 37 fantasy points.

Player Match-ups 

In the last five years, Mitchell Marsh has 42 runs off 40 balls against leg-spinners in T20Is. He has been dismissed four times by the leggies. You can check out more in-depth projections and key match-ups for this match here.

Probable XIs

West Indies
Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer/Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran(w/c), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards

Australia
Aaron Finch(c), Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Daniel Christian, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood