Australia are placed second in Group 1 with 6 points from 4 games, level on points with south Africa and will take on West Indies in their final group match on Saturday.
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Australia captain Aaron Finch has said that his side will stick to their process because they know it’s good ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup super 12 fixture against West Indies on Saturday. Australia are placed second in Group 1 with six points from 4 games; two points adrift leaders England. A positive result against West Indies will go a long way in ensuring qualification for the semi-finals. The Aussies registered an impressive 8 wicket win against Bangladesh in their previous match, chasing down a target of 74 in 6.2 overs.
Australia started their T20 World Cup campaign with a 5 wicket win against South Africa before convincingly beating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets. However in the third game, the Baggy Greens were thrashed by 8 wickets by England. Meanwhile, England have already ensured qualification for the semi-final stage with four wins in as many games.
South Africa and Australia are tied at six points; therefore the final matchday of Group 1 is going to be crucial for both teams. South Africa will take on England in the other match of the day. Meanwhile Australia has a better net run rate than South Africa.
“Behind the scenes we made a conscious effort not to talk about net run rate and things like that,” Finch told reporters on Friday.
“We’d love to keep things in our control. If you start hoping other teams win or lose, it clouds your judgement and vision. We’ll stick to our guns because we know that’s good enough when we get it right.
“West Indies is such a dangerous side … Obviously with them being out of the competition now they’ve got nothing to lose, which can also be a really dangerous spot.”
Finch has described pacer Mitchell Starc as their go-to-bowler as they take on depleted Windies on Saturday. Starc led the demolition against Bangladesh as he bowled out opener Liton Das for a golden duck before dismissing Mahmudullah Riyad. The 31-year-old returned figures of 2-21.
“His record in all formats of the game is unbelievable, but particularly in T20 cricket, he is someone who has got so many skills,” Finch said of his pace spearhead.
“The ability to take wickets all through the innings with the new ball, at the death in particular, he is as good as anyone in the world.
“So absolutely he is a strike weapon that we love to use any stage we feel we can exploit someone or there is a little weakness, or you want to keep pressing through the middle overs. He is the one you turn to most times.”
Adam Zampa also gave an impressive performance against Bangladesh as he recorded his career-best figures of 5-19. The leg spinner has already taken 10 wickets in the competition so far, only behind Wanindu Hasaranga and Shakib Al Hasan in the top wicket takers list.
“The guy is a huge weapon. He is someone who has been so consistent over the last couple of years in both white-ball formats of the game,” Finch said of the New South Wales spinner.
