West Indies vs Australia – 1st One-Day International Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs Australia taking place? Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 – 19:30 (UK)
Where is West Indies vs Australia taking place? Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
What is the expected weather for West Indies vs Australia? 29-30c with bright sunshine and fresh breeze
What channel is West Indies vs Australia on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport in the UK
Where can I stream West Indies vs Australia? BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website and app
LAST MEETING
Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs.
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- West Indies’ 16-run victory over Australia in the fifth T20i between the two sides saw them end the series on a huge high and provides them with much needed momentum not only heading into this three-match ODI series, but also ahead of the T20 World Cup later in the year.
- Opening the batting, Evin Lewis blasted 79 off just 34 balls in that fifth T20i and he will have a big role to play in this first ODI as will Shai Hope, who should come into the Windies line-up for the 50 over games replacing Chris Gayle.
- Captain Kieron Pollard is hoping to make his return for this first ODI after missing the entire T20i series due to injury, whilst all-rounder Jason Holder is back after a period of rest.
AUSTRALIA
- Australia will be hoping that a change of format helps to turn their fortunes around after being thoroughly outplayed over the course of the T20i fixtures, although they may have to do so without captain Aaron Finch, who picked up a knee injury in the final T20i.
- The tourists are already sweating over the fitness of both batter Ben McDermott and all-rounder Ashton Agar, whilst the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins remain absent after having not made themselves available for this tour.
- One Australian player who came out of the T20i series with credit was all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who hugely impressed batting at three and he will have a big role to play with both bat and ball in this match alongside left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc.
THE PREDICTION
Following West Indies’ thumping 4-1 victory in the five-match T20i series against Australia, the two sides reconvene at the Kensington Oval for a three-match ODI series. The tourists don’t look in great shape with numerous injury problems to worry about. West Indies meanwhile, looked promising in their 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka in their most recent ODI series vs admittedly weak opposition. Add that to the confidence of their current squad following the hugely successful T20i series, along with the likes of Pollard and Holder to come into the side and this first match looks all set up for a Windies victory.