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Australia will be up against one of the pre-tournament favourites West Indies in their second game of the World T20 2012 on Saturday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match starts 12 midnight Australia time.
In his press conference, Shane Watson contended that the side had come out hard at their Irish opponents and it was a tactic that worked. Qualifiers Ireland, despite being ranked just a spot below Australia in the official rankings, never stood a chance.
West Indies are an interesting opposition. On paper, they probably have the most balanced line-up.
At the top of their innings is Viv Richards-incarnated. Chris Gayle can single-handedly win games on his own, damaging opposition bowling reputations and pushing the ICC into contemplating a need for providing helmets for umpires and fans in the stands alike.
In the middle, the list of all-rounders almost never ends.
Marlon Samuels’ abilities as a batsman were never in question and with his temperament issues resolved, he is one talented batsman at the top. Add his quick, off-spinners to the mix and you have a complete package, an opposition’s envy.
Dwayne Bravo is a medium-pacer with a knack of picking up wickets regularly and a batsman whose Caribbean grace is matched with his quick-scoring prowess.
Kieron Pollard can send them into the orbit as rapidly as Gayle and he has a couple of bowling overs up his sleeve each game.
And in Dwayne Smith and Andre Russell, the West Indies have cricketers who will be everywhere – they will bat, bowl and field with enthusiasm bordering on peskiness for the opposition.
The West Indian bowling will be aided by the track at R Premadasa Stadium, with the modern-day magician Sunil Narine being almost impossible to face.
Australia will know what they are up against. Much like in the Ireland tie, they will also be cognizant of the fact that it could be an even battle and one that they will need to win by chipping away at it.
Mind you, theirs is still an alive group. A loss here could bring Ireland back into contention and the possibility of a three-way tie might become imminent then.
In his media interaction after the Ireland game, Watson had alluded to the possibility of the pitches in the Colombo becoming slower as the tournament progressed.
With Xavier Doherty back in the squad and Brad Hogg and Mitchell Starc suffering from flu and gastro symptoms, the selectors will have an interesting call to make.
Action begins midnight and we will bring you the live coverage of the match.
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