Australia whitewashed West Indies in the ODI series (Twitter)
Australia will take on West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday, February 9, at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
As the West Indies tour of Australia in 2024 nears its conclusion, the cricketing spotlight shifts to the shortest format, following a mixed bag of results in the preceding Test and One Day International (ODI) matches.
The Test series saw an evenly matched contest ending in a 1-1 draw, but the Australians dominated the ODI series, securing a clean sweep against the visitors.
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Team Previews
Australia
Under the leadership of Mitchell Marsh, the Australian team is riding a wave of confidence after their comprehensive victory in the ODI series. Despite resting many of their key players, the Australian squad delivered a strong all-around performance.
With the return of their regular players for the T20I series, the team is eager to maintain their winning momentum. However, the absence of cricket luminaries such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, and Steve Smith means Australia must bring their best game to counter the formidable West Indies team.
West Indies
West Indies, captained by Rovman Powell, infused energy into the tour by securing a victory in the second Test at The Gabba. However, their performance in the ODI series left much to be desired, culminating in a series whitewash.
With key players like Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, and Jason Holder forming the core of their squad for the T20I series, the two-time T20 World Cup champions will be looking to make a strong comeback in their preferred format.
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming
| Date & Time | February 9, 1:30 PM (IST) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Live Streaming and Broadcast | Star Sports, Disney+Hotstar |
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Hobart Pitch Report
The Bellerive Oval, known for its conducive batting conditions has an average first-innings score of 153. While one of the boundaries is notably shorter, bowlers will be challenged to maintain precision to prevent conceding high scores. Although the pitch offers some assistance to new-ball bowlers, the history of match outcomes suggests a slight preference for teams batting first, with six wins compared to five for teams chasing. As the captains prepare for the toss, the decision to bat first could be a determining factor in the game's outcome.
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Probable Playing 11
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Jason Behrendorff, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood,
West Indies: Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Nicholas Pooran, Matthew Wade |
| Batters | David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Kyle Mayers, Brandon King |
| All-Rounders | Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Andre Russell |
| Bowlers | Josh Hazlewood, Alzarri Joseph |
| Captain | Mitchell Marsh |
| Vice-captain | Andre Russell |
AUS vs WI 1st T20I: Winner Prediction
Australia, buoyed by their stunning victory in the ODI series and the return of their seasoned campaigners, are deemed favourites to clinch the T20I series, leveraging their home advantage and depth in talent.
Despite the absence of some star players, their formidable bench strength and proven track record in adapting to match situations position them as the team to beat.
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