Not sure if it's Australia v/s West Indies or Watson v/s Gayle

So, the first semi-final between the two subcontinental giants Pakistan and Sri Lanka has started and let’s wait and watch as the action unfolds.

For now, let’s shift our focus to the second semi-final between Australia and West Indies which is going to be played tomorrow, 5^th October at 19:00 hours IST at Premadasa stadium; the same venue where the 1^st semi final is being played and also where Group-2 played all their super eight matches. It has been said before, in every match at this venue, the team chasing has an advantage as the ball comes on to the bat a bit better under lights, but ironically Sri Lanka chose to bat today, probably because the wickets have slowed down by now and would take more turn in the second innings. Another factor that might prompt the skipper winning the toss to bat first is the fact that it’s a knockout game; Bat first and put pressure on the opposition may be the order of the day.

Looking at Australia; they have been clinical in all the games, outperforming their opponents, apart from the last match against Pakistan, where they lost, but managed to score enough to confirm their place in the semi finals. Australia have been terrific and have a well settled team. They dismissed Ireland for a meager 123 and then chased it down in just 15 overs with just 1 wicket down, while against the Windies, although they conceded quite heavily, came back strongly in the match via some superb batting. Even in the super eight encounters, they outclassed their opponents, two of the pre-tournament favourites; India and South Africa.

They look a well settled unit and the inclusion of Xavier Doherty in place of Christian has paid rich dividends. Considering the conditions, it was a smart move to bring in an extra spinner. They have bowled pretty well on all occasions, with Starc spearheading the attack, albeit Watson is the highest wicket taker (11) in the tournament. The presence of the quickie Cummins and the chinaman Hogg complete this bowling attack, making it one of the best in the tournament.

Their batting, though raises some question marks as they seem to be top heavy, their top three contributing most of the runs. The presence of Bailey not only in the middle order but in the team raises some question marks, when a T20 specialist, Hussey is warming the bench. Watson has been their star performer both with the bat and ball, scoring bulk of the runs and taking the most wickets; has also bagged 4 Man of the Match awards. Cameroon White is a very good player of spin bowling and was in prime form in the IPL, but hasn’t come to the party yet, which the Australians would be hoping turns soon. Their middle order, with the likes of Bailey Maxwell and Wade, is a little weak and inexperienced and this would be their worry. Also, they have been ever so highly reliant on Watson and lost the only game in which he didn’t fire.

West Indies, on the other hand have had hiccups in the tournament, winning 1, then losing 1, then again winning 1 and losing 1 and finally won the last game in the super over to get them here.

They were considered the dark horses and might just prove to be. Great hopes were resting on their batting, with the likes of Gayle, Bravo, Pollard, Samuels, some of the heroes of the IPL, but have failed to click as a unit and hence, failed to deliver. Only Marlon Samuels and Gayle seem to be in some sort of shape, though even Gayle hasn’t contributed as expected; only two 50′s from a player of his caliber should be considered under-par and with high hopes resting on him, it has to be considered a failure.

Their bowling line-up is made up of more of all rounders with only 3 frontline bowlers playing, Rampaul, Narine and Badree. The quota of the remaining 2 bowlers is completed by Sammy, Pollard, Gayle, Samuels and we are yet to see much of Dwayne Bravo with the ball. Narine has failed to regenerate his IPL magic, as a result of which, West Indies have failed as a bowling unit. The only bright spark was against New Zealand when he took 3 wickets and bagged the Man of the Match award, but then, New Zealand were never good players of spin, where they? But, even the Australians aren’t that good against spin and it would be an interesting match-up.

The last time these 2 teams met in a T20 international was earlier in this tournament, which was a rain curtailed game and Australia won by 9 wickets on D/L.

Australia have been the more consistent of the 2 and have made a cut, coming from a more difficult group. Also, they have been a little less reliant on Watson than Windies have been on Gayle. Batting wise both are top heavy and a little reliant on their top 3, though Windies have a slightly better, experienced and acclimatized middle order, but Australia would win the bowling battle hands down.

Considering these, I would give Australia the upper hand, although it is a knock out game and the format is such, any team can beat any other team on a given day. What if Gayle has his day tomorrow, or may be Watson fails, things might change then and quite drastically too. It won’t be surprising if the winner of Gayle v/s Watson is the one who takes his country into the Finals. Whoever wins, it has all the makings of an intriguing contest.

Players to Watch:

West Indies: Gayle, Samuels, Narine

Australia: Watson, Hussey, Starc, Doherty

Key Battles:

Watson v/s Narine

Gayle v/s Watson, Starc

Samuels, Pollard v/s Doherty

Probable Lineups:

Australia: Watson, Warner, Hussey, White, Bailey, Maxwell, Wade, Doherty, Starc, Cummins, Hogg

West Indies: Gayle, Charles, Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Pollard, Sammy, Russell, Ramdin, Rampaul, Narine, Badree

Both teams are pretty well settled and no changes are expected in the lineup.