The toss is going to play a big role in this match. A small ground where defending a total is tough already provides a big advantage to the chasing side. Add rain to the equation and that advantage grows even more.
We think that Australia has the bowling attack to be able to stop the West Indian batsmen or at least limit the damage that they can cause. Both sides have a strong batting lineup and so the bowling could well be the differentiating factor.
Considering the results of the first two matches of the tournament, England certainly look to be firm favorites to win the upcoming encounter. Having said that, one game is too little a sample size to come to a conclusion about how things are going to unfold going ahead in the tournament. England are coming off a 4-0 victory over Pakistan in same conditions which will certainly inflate the hosts' confidence. Both the sides are well aware of the strength and weaknesses of each other it isn't going to be easy for either of the sides. While the two sides have a bowling unit that is on par, England definitely score higher when it comes to batting. They have the home advantage and that coupled with the reasons mentioned above make England firm favorites to come on top in the upcoming encounter.
What to expect: The weather is set fair for the game although plenty of cloud cover is forecast, keeping temperatures cool. The pitch, as ever in Nottingham, is expected to be excellent for batting which means there will be plenty of runs on offer.
Team News
West Indies: Will West Indies opt for all-out pace and pick both Oshane Thomas and Shannon Gabriel or will one of them sit out for the left-armer Sheldon Cottrell? Given the expected cloud cover and Cottrell's ability to swing the ball, he may get the nod. Ashley Nurse will be the lone spin option.
Possible XI: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmeyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach
Pakistan: Pakistan have to decide which combination of bowlers they will go with and whether to exclude the experienced pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Imad Wasim's batting prowess means he is likely to play alongside Shahdab Khan as the second spinner while Shaheen Afridi, the pick of Pakistan's quicks of late, will lead the attack, probably with Mohammad Amir.
Possible XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi
Did you know?
- Pakistan have lost 21 of the 32 ODIs they have played since their 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, and won only nine (2 no-results). Their current losing streak is 10 games.
- Babar Azam's scores against West Indies read: 120, 123, 117, 13, 125* & 16
- Shai Hope is the leading run-getter in ODIs since October 2018 with 1132 runs in 17 innings that included five centuries, at an average of 80.85.
