AUS vs WI Match Preview- 1st T20I, 2024

The AUS vs WI T20I series kicks off with the first T20I in Hobart. The first T20I starts at 1.30 pm IST. All three matches start at 1.30 pm IST. Australia whitewashed the Windies in the three-match ODI series. 

Australia won the first ODI by 8 wickets, the second by 83 runs, and the third by 10 wickets. The hosts bowled out the visitors for just 86 runs in the third ODI and won the match in 6.5 overs. The chase is amongst the quickest in ODI history. 

The ODI series loss highlights the flaws within the Windies’ ODI setup along with how it is running. The T20I series sees the return of the T20I superstars in both camps and it evens up the contest. West Indies did not even qualify for the ODI World Cup last year. This highlights the problems the team has in terms of playing the 50-over format. This ODI series loss against the Aussies further highlights the dearth of good long-format players.

 The two teams have played 146 ODIs with the Aussies winning 79 matches and West Indies 61. In 19 T20Is, Australia have won 9 games while West Indies 10. The T20I series kicks off the preparations of both teams for the T20 World Cup 2024. West Indies is one of the two hosts of the tournament. 

AUS vs WI Match Preview- 1st T20I, 2024

Australia 

Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh in the T20I series. He will replace regular white-ball skipper Pat Cummins who is rested for the series. Mitchell Starc too is rested from the T20I series. Nathan Ellis who has a rib injury will miss the series and he has been replaced by Spender Johnson. Matthew Short is also not available for the T20I series owing to an injury. Josh Hazlewood who was rested from the third ODI returns to the T20I side. 

Australia have their T20I specialists available after they were busy playing in various T20 leagues. Warner has joined the team from the ILT20, while Tim David and Marcus Stoinis from the SA20. Glenn Maxwell who was rested from the ODI series has been recalled for the T20I series. 

Australia Squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

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West Indies

West Indies have named a full-strength squad for the three-match AUS vs WI T20I series. The squad sees the return of the team’s T20 specialists. Rovman Powell will lead the side with the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Jason Holder back in the side. The trio was busy playing in the ILT20 2024. Among the bowlers, Akeal Hosein., Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie give them plenty of variety. 

The real strength of West Indies lies in their big hitters Russell, Holder, and Powell. Cricket West Indies have decided to bench Shimron Hetmyer from this series. They have included ODI skipper Shai Hope in the squad as a backup wicketkeeper. Given that plenty of cricketers are fresh from a good domestic T20 season, West Indies are expected to challenge Australia in the T20I series. 

West Indies squad 

Rovman Powell (c), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas

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