Australia will have the chance to book their seat in the finals this morning, looking to go two from two against the West Indies inside Warner Park. Follow all the live highlights and Tri-series action on The Roar from 3am (AEST).
The Australians will be without in-form opener David Warner, the 29-year-old has been ruled out with a broken finger after copping a knock during his game winning century against South Africa.
With one foot in the finals door, Australia have to lose substantially to even get close to missing out on the top two.
Despite the West Indies taking a beating the first time round, they’re hunting a finals berth of their own, just a point behind South Africa with a game in hand.
The short boundaries at St Kitts and a batsman friendly track could be the catalyst for high scoring entertainment.
“I think it’s going to be a high-scoring ground. It’s a small ground, a very good pitch for batting. There’s not much room for error on the bowlers’ part,” said West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
With spin bowling dominating the opening games of the tournament, the hard pitch is a relief for both sides and an opening for the pace attack to have their chance.
Speaking of, Mitch Starc is just five wickets away from 100 ODI scalps, closing in on the record for fastest to reach the mark in history.
The Warner replacement won’t be named until game time, but the favourites are Glenn Maxwell, who was rested for Australia’s last game against SA, and Travis Head with the expectation of Usman Khawaja moving up to open the batting.
Prediction
The West Indies shouldn’t be underestimated after a big win over over South Africa in the first game of the tournament, however, Australia are still favourites to take the win.
Mitch Starc will be key for the Aussies on a flat track that should accommodate his movement into the toes.
Australia to win by 6 wickets or 36 runs
Can Australia make their way into the finals with a dominant win? Or will the West Indies open up their own chances of overtaking South Africa? Catch all the live highlights and action on The Roar from 3am (AEST).
Connor Bennett
Editor
Australia just weren't good enough in the field today and their bowlers struggled to recover from the early onslaught from Charles and Fletcher. Credit has to go to the Windies batsman though who took control of the chase from the first ball and never let it go, built off the back a Marlon Samuels 92
Connor Bennett
Editor
WEST INDIES WIN BY 4 WICKETS
Connor Bennett
Editor
45.4 On a good length but far too wide, Brathwaite leans back and cuts behind point in front of third man... they get back for an easy second and that's the game!! WI 6/266
Connor Bennett
Editor
45.2 Pollard walks down again, getting an thick outside edge down to third man for a single. Just two needed now WI 6/264
Connor Bennett
Editor
3 runs from 30 balls now
Connor Bennett
Editor
44.6 Three more to the total. Pollard chips off the pads over mid wicket into the deep, the ball doesn't run but they get three and the damage is done WI 6/263
Connor Bennett
Editor
44.5 FOUR!! The game continues to slip away from the Australians. Short and wide form Hazlewood, Pollard just gets up over it and cuts through backward point to the boundary WI 6/259
Connor Bennett
Editor
44.3 Hazlewood right on the perfect line and length just moving away from the bat on a good length. Brathwaite very carefully playing it out to point for no run. He has time on his side WI 6/255
Connor Bennett
Editor
44.1 Josh Hazlewood has been tossed the ball. Pollard continues to walk down the wicket, regardless of who's bowling, as he just pushes it through the on side for a single WI 6/255
Connor Bennett
Editor
43.6 Solid defence from the big man to end the over, a big one for the Aussies. WI 6/254
Gavin
Guest
Seriously, what is going on? How is that out -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Carlos Brathwaite the new man in, again, with just 12 runs needed
Connor Bennett
Editor
43.4 IT'S ANOTHER ONE!!! Caught behind is Jason Holder but He's Reviewed. Front foot is fine... we're looking for an inside edge. It's tight with plenty of movement after it went past the bat. I don't think it has hit the bat to be honest. HE'S GIVEN HIM!! OUT!! J Holder c Wade b Coulte-Nile 0 (2) Well that's an interesting call, it didn't look like it hit the bat at all but the decision stands and the disappointment is more than obvious on the face of Holder as he trudges off WI 6/254
Wasted1
Guest
Now it's getting exciting again.
Connor Bennett
Editor
43.3 Jason Holder comes to the crease with 12 runs needed. WI 5/254
Connor Bennett
Editor
43.2 OUT!! D Ramdin b Coulter-Nile 29 (38) Beautiful delivery from NCN, taking out the top of off with some late in swing to sneak past the bat. Could there be another twist and turn for the Australians? WI 5/254
Connor Bennett
Editor
43.1 FOUR!! Too full and too straight from Coulter-Nile. Ramdin shuffles across inside the line and flicks through the leg side to the unprotected boundary WI 4/254
Connor Bennett
Editor
Just 17 runs from 42 needed now as the hosts close in the win
Connor Bennett
Editor
42.6 SIX!! That is a miss hit, and it's carried over the rope, over the fence and into the crowd. Incredible power despite the poor timing on the slog sweep, eventually slicing it over wide long off. WI 4/249
Connor Bennett
Editor
42.4 A bit shorter and Ramdin cuts through the vacant point region, picking up a single in the deep WI 4/243