West Indies vs Australia, 5th T20I: Fantasy Preview

After four games, Australia clearly seem the side that is unsettled. The reality is that both teams have so far fielded 15 players in the series. But, Australia are the side that have seemed tactically wanting which is reflected in the 3-1 scoreline. Take Mitchell Marsh out of the calculation and things look bleaker for the visitors. Having said that, a superb last over by Mitchell Starc after a continued good show by Marsh at three helped Australia open their account in the fourth T20I. For the dead rubber fifth game, both teams will stay in St Lucia.

Ground Details and Team Combination

In the last three years, the pacers have picked 65% of the wickets at this venue. However, in this series, the spinners have been more frequent with the wickets striking once every 17.5 balls as compared to 19.6 balls for pacers. With 11 wickets, Hayden Walsh has five more wickets than any other bowler in this series.

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

As mentioned above, Mitchell Marsh has been the only shining light for Australia in the series. Not only is he the highest run-scorer in the series by a distance, but he is also the second-highest wicket-taker with six scalps. Batting at number three and bowling an average of three overs per game makes him the safest bet for the captain of your fantasy XI.

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. He has averaged 106 in the series and is the third-highest run-getter.
2. Lendl Simmons has been in a good knock too and has averaged 36 in the series so far while being the second-highest run scorer.

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 

1. Kieron Pollard has not played in the series due to a niggle. Hence, keep a lookout if he is there on the team sheet. He is projected to fetch around 37 fantasy points.
2. Among those who did not play in the last game, keep a lookout for Obed McCoy. He has five wickets in two games in the series and is projected to fetch 74 points.
3. Neither Mitchell Swepson nor Jason Holder have played in the series. They can get a chance in the fifth T20I. If they do, they are projected to earn 70 and 59.5 points respectively.

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, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran(w/c), Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Obed McCoy

Australia
Aaron Finch(c), Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood, Riley Meredith, Jason Behrendorff