AUS v IRE: T20 WC PREVIEW

A win, a washout and a loss give both teams a total of 3 points. Ireland would be on high after beating a strong England side by 5 runs using the DLS method. Australia lost by 89 runs to New Zealand in the opening match and were found lacking against Sri Lanka until a Stoinis blitzkrieg helped them win. The last 2 games are do or die games for them, and they must win convincingly against Afghanistan and Ireland in order to boost their NRR and remain in contention.

No team has been successful in defending their title and no team has won a T20WC on their home soil. A huge defeat like the one against NZ could knock them out of tournament if NRR comes to play at the fag end of the Super 12.

A series loss against IND, ENG, and a closely fought series against WI has left Australia with too many questions in the run up to the tournament. While the inclusion of Tim David and Cam Green prior to the World Cup has rewarded them with too many options in the batting line up but there are stil some chinks in their armour. The skipper doesn't warrant a place on merit and has been struggling to lay bat on the ball since quite a while. Their fortunes largely depend on the start given by Warner.

Probable XIs

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Ireland

Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little

Venue

The Gabba, Brisbane

Total matches 7
Matches won batting first 5
Matches won bowling first 2

Average 1st Inns scores 165
Average 2nd Inns scores 145

Highest total recorded 209/3 by AUS vs RSA
Lowest total recorded 114/10 by RSA vs AUS

Highest score chased 161/4 by AUS vs RSA
Lowest score defended 150/7 by BAN vs ZIM

Head-to-Head

They have faced each other only once in t20is where Australia emerged victorious with 7 wkts during the 2012 WT20 at Colombo

Most runs - Shane Watson (51)

Most wkts - Shane Watson (3)

Recent Form

(Last five matches)

Australia:

NR W L NR L

Ireland

NR W L W W

Form Update
(Last 5 innings)

Key Players & Fantasy Picks

David Warner

The man of the tournamnet of last t20 wc, a t20 legend who scores atleast 500-600 runs every season in the Indian t20 league. In simpler words, a run machine, who would walk into the starting 11 of any t20 side. Warner looked in great touch coming into the wc with 50s against WI and ENG. So far he has failed to make any mark in the tournamnet and was unlucky the way he got out against NZ. An opener should always be your 1st choice pick in the Fantasy XI and if he is a player named David Warner then it should be an automatic choice
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Paul Stirling

According to the Cricviz Analyst, since the start of 2015, he strikes at 148 in the Powerplay. There have been more than 200 players to face 450+ Powerplay deliveries in that time and Stirling’s strike rate is the 17th highest. He has reached fifty 8 times in the Powerplay in T20s, which is most by a batter after Chris Gayle (10) and David Warner (9). In a T20I against West Indies, Stirling’s 67 is the highest individual score in the Powerplay in the history of T20 Internationals. Having made his debut in 2008, Stirling has a stellar record in the T20 format with 7770 runs at an SR of 141. He is also a handy off-spin bowler with 77 wickets to his name in the format. Another area which puts Stirling ahead is his ability to play spin. In all T20s and T20Is, he has scored runs against right arm leg break at an impressive SR of 156. And against left arm orthodox, he strikes at 140. Stirling should be your bankable pick in Fantasy XI along with Tucker and Tector

Glenn Maxwell

One of the most dangerous batters in the format who has found some rhythm against SL and NZ after failing to reach double digit scores in his last 6 out of 7 innings prior to the WC. In addition to that, he is a very hand bowler in Powerplays and a gun fielder. Has all the makings of a top Fantasy pick

Other picks

Curtis Camphor is a fine all rounder, he his best remembered for his feat of taking 4 wkts in 4 balls against NED in the t20 wc. He is a former SA U 19 player. Mark Adair is a tall seam bowler, he has taken 75 wkts at an impressive economy of 7.6 and he is the 2nd quickest player to 50 t20i wickets. Craig Young is an another exciting bowler. He recently got to 50 t20i wkts. Ireland had a big season against Ind, NZ, SA and Afg at home this year and that has worked wonders for them. All these lesser known names can put you in the winning zone in the Fantasy XI

Fantasy XI