Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell made their presence felt with a fine performance against Australia, enabling West Indies to post a competitive total.
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Windies skipper Kieron Pollard and all-rounder Andre Russell made their presence felt with a fine display to help the team post a total of 157 runs for the loss of seven wickets, in the T20 World Cup 2021 encounter against Australia. Pollard accumulated 44 runs off 31 deliveries in an innings comprising of four boundaries and a six. Russell smashed 18 runs in seven balls, with the knock including a four and two maximums. Evin Lewis was another fine contributor, accumulating 29 runs from 26 deliveries in an innings comprising of five boundaries.
Australian fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers, accounting for four dismissals. Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins were significant contributors as well, chipping in with a wicket apiece.
“I think we have been lucky to play here in the last one year including the IPL. We know what we are up against in terms of the wicket. I just try and use the wicket to the best of my ability, if it is spinning try and spin, if it is staying low then try and use that too to my advantage. Have been pretty lucky to be playing a lot of cricket in these times, I know my role in this team and it is to get wickets in the middle. I guess pretty with this (total). It is hard to gauge as the new ball came on nicely but then it started to spin and stay low, in general it is a good batting wicket,” said Zampa as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Australia skipper Aaron Finch opted to field after winning the toss, taking into account the good wicket which would not be changing throughout the 40 overs.
“We will bowl. It looks like a really good wicket and won’t change throughout the 40 overs, will try to do some early damage with the ball. If you have to win the tournament then you have to win both ways. But on this surface if there’s any kind of moisture then it will be first up. We won’t think about it (NRR). We have come here to take two points. Same team,” he stated.
Pollard stated that his players will be simply looking to win games. West Indies have to win today’s game to qualify directly to the Super 12 for next year’s World Cup else they will have to play round 1 like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh did in this year’s tournament.
“Obviously these guys, all of us have done over the last decade or so for the T20 game is just amazing. It is unfortunate that we couldn’t get that one last hurrah in terms of getting to the next phase of the tournament. But today is another opportunity, it will be emotional for some but the important thing is to try and win the cricket game to salvage something. We are aware of all aspects, everything is at the back of our minds and we are wary about what run rates needed. But it comes to nothing if you don’t win games. One change; Hayden Walsh comes in for Rampaul,” he said.
Lineups:
West Indies (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran(w), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard(c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo, Hayden Walsh, Akeal Hosein.
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
