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Australia face Scotland in the final game of Pool A at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:15pm (AEDT).
After a slow start, caused by scheduling and the washout in Brisbane, Australia have finally gathered much-needed momentum.
While top spot in Pool A is out of reach, the win against Sri Lanka last Sunday means Australia should remain home for the remainder of their campaign, pending victory against the Scots.
Australia will not be tempted to change tack too drastically; the only foreseeable change is the exit of Xavier Doherty in favour of either Josh Hazlewood or Patrick Cummins.
Following the spinner’s expensive return against the Sri Lankans, Australia will feel that the part-time spin options of Glenn Maxwell, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith will suffice for the rest of the tournament.
It is difficult to ascertain what Australia’s greatest asset is leading into the knockouts: the return to form for the previously injured Clarke, or the coming of age of Glenn Maxwell. Both performed drastically different, yet critical roles in the massive total compiled against Sri Lanka.
Australia may have also inadvertently stumbled onto Shane Watson’s best position, following his positive contribution in Sydney.
The only possible conundrum may be the form of Aaron Finch. Since scoring a ton against England, the opener has made a few aesthetically pleasing shots before giving his wicket away. Against two new balls, Australia may want to re-think tactics before the knockouts, either demoting Finch to the middle order so as to not be exposed, or drop him altogether in favour of either George Bailey or Mitchell Marsh.
In both Watson and Brad Haddin, Australia have readymade replacements for the opening slot if required. Still, this remains unlikely, as the entire batting line-up looks strong as is.
In the bowling, Australia will sweat on Mitchell Johnson finding consistency ahead of the crunch games. Aside from a predictable bag in Perth against Afghanistan, Johnson’s returns have been meagre, so much in that his primacy in the attack has been superseded by Mitchell Starc. A good outing may lead to positive figures for Johnson, but will give little insight as to whether he is ready for the tougher challenges ahead.
For Scotland, the high point of their campaign remains the tough test they gave New Zealand in their tour opener. Despite the ledger reading zero wins, the Scots have been competitive in each of their fixtures, and may give Australia a decent workout. However they will do so without all-time Scottish leading wicket-taker Majid Haq, who has been sent home for disciplinary reasons.
While victory may be beyond reach, Scotland have batted and bowled well enough during the tournament – just not on the same day. Kyle Coetzer became Scotland’s first centurion in World Cup cricket, while Josh Davey is an unlikely tournament leading wicket-taker. Support acts from the likes of captain Preston Mommsen, Matt Machan, Freddie Coleman and Richie Berrington are needed to supplement whatever Coetzer can achieve against Mitchell Starc and co. In the bowling, Scotland need early breakthroughs via Rob Taylor and Iain Wardlaw alongside Davey.
On a dry and good batting wicket, both sides will likely opt to bat first. Yet having not had a chance to chase a target yet, there may be a temptation for Michael Clarke to send in Scotland and ask his batsmen to chase under lights – a prospect likely to reoccur within the next two weeks.
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