After losing Tests in Sri Lanka and at home to South Africa, Australia staged a remarkable comeback to beat Pakistan 3-0. And now ahead of a tough tour to India next month, they will be up against Pakistan in a limited-overs series. Even though ODI cricket is their strong point at this moment, they got blanked 5-0 in South Africa.
The Aussies will have to be at their best to dismantle a Pakistani side that will be itching to give a fitting reply after the Test debacle. The hosts will start favourites though and keeping that in mind, we analyse some of the players that users must have in their Oye Captain fantasy teams during the series:
Mitchell Starc – 9.5
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There is a reason why Starc is the most feared bowler in world cricket right now – at least in the limited overs format. He can do it all! He bowls with some serious pace, moves the new ball both ways, generates reverse swing and sends those toe-crushing yorkers, effortlessly!
Even though it is going to cost you a lot of money (9.5) to bring him in, Starc will provide full value. After all, how many bowlers in the modern game average less than 20 with the ball?
He picked up six wickets against New Zealand in the recently concluded Chappell-Hadlee series and against a susceptible batting line up like the one Pakistan has, his presence will certainly boost your team. Even though he was off-colour against the visitors in the final Test in Sydney, expect Starc to roar back to his best with the white ball in his hand.
Adam Zampa – 8.5
It is quite hard to believe that Australia actually went on to drop the world's most successful bowler in ODI cricket last year. Adam Zampa was dropped for the final two ODIs vs New Zealand after going for 66 runs in the first game.
But he is back in the mix now and you can expect him to be back in the playing XI as well, which means you cannot afford to miss out on him. He doesn't cost too much and at 8.5 can prove to be a bargain considering he has the ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs with his variations.
Zampa picked up 30 wickets in the format last year at an average of 27 and after getting the axe, he would certainly be hungry to return to his best. With Sarfraz Ahmed back in Pakistan, the visitors’ middle order will be weak and that can be further exploited by the leggie.
David Warner – 10.5
Ignore David Warner at your own peril. The man is in outrageous form off late and hasn't shown any signs of stopping soon. After battling poor form in Tests, he turned that around as well with back-to-back centuries against Pakistan. And with the visitors missing Mohammad Irfan, it is going to be a very difficult task to stop Warner from going all guns blazing.
Check this out for a stat - Warner made more runs than anyone last year at an average of 63 and an astonishing strike rate of 105. He has a penchant for scoring big ones too and that makes him an asset despite his huge price tag. Pick this guy for 10.5 credits and compromise on the financial aspect on other fronts. After all, he has made seven hundreds in 2016!
Babar Azam – 8.5
Even though Pakistan appear certain to lose the series, you got to pick a few in your Oye Captain fantasy XI. The opposition cannot be completely ignored and hence, it is very important to identify the right players who can go on to fetch some points.
If Warner averaged 63 in 2016, Babar Azam averaged close to 60 last year with the bat. A team that has been crying out for some consistent batsmen in their lineup, Babar's presence has given them hope. At just 22 years of age, he has the world at his feet and scoring runs in Australia will help him in stamping his authority.
After scoring three successive hundreds against West Indies, Babar has already rung the warning bells for the hosts with well compiled 98 in the practice match. He is your best bet from the Pakistani side. And the good part? He costs only 8.5.
Chris Lynn – 9
If there is one name that has grabbed the eyeballs in the last few weeks in world cricket, it is Chris Lynn. He is all set to make his ODI debut in this series and without a shadow of a doubt, people are going to keep an eye on him to see if he can replicate his Big Bash League exploits in the international circuit.
He is valued at 9 which seems very fair, considering the fact that he is comfortably leading the batting charts in the BBL and is the only batsman so far to have breached the 300-run mark. Wherever he bats in the batting order, Lynn is sure to have us glued to our seats.
The users will certainly be excited about this part – he has hit more sixes than fours in the tournament, how about that? His ability to clear the ropes effortlessly makes him an automatic pick in your XI.
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