This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams and continue with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for the first ODI between West Indies and Australia that is scheduled to take place on the 21st of July 2021.
After the one-sided series victory in the T20I series, West Indies are all set to play a three-match ODI series against Australia. With some key players coming back for the ODI series, West Indies will be looking for another dominating series victory over the Australian side and end the series on a good note.
Shai Hope will be back for ODIs along with some key players like Roston Chase and Darren Bravo. Shimron Hetmyer and Even Lewis are likely to make their place into the starting XI after the impressive T20I series. West Indies played their last ODI series against Sri Lanka where they won the series by 3-0. The host will aim to deliver a similar performance in this series as well.
After the humiliating defeat in the T20I series, Australia will be motivated to overturn their fortunes in the three-match ODI series. There were much fewer positives for the visitors in the T20I series as they failed to perform as a team. The visitors will be without their skipper Aaron Finch in this first ODI, as the skipper is doubtful due to a knee injury. Australia played their last ODI series against India at home, where they managed to win by 2-1. They will look to solve their key issues in this and win some points for the ODI Super League Points Table.
Match Details
Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Pitch and Weather: The pitch of Barbados will be neutral as batsmen and bowlers both will get assistance from the surface. The average first inning score on this ground is 241 so this match will have a total of around 250 to 260. The weather should be clear during the game as a complete match should happen without any interruption.
Date and Time: July 21, 12 AM IST
Probable Playing XIs
West Indies have made some key changes for this three-match ODI series. Shai Hope will open with Even Lewis who performed well in the T20I series. Darren Bravo is likely to play at number three. Pollard, Pooran, and Hetmyer will handle the middle order. Jason Holder will lead the pace attack along with Alzarri Joseph and Sheldon Cottrell.
Matthew Wade is likely to lead the Australian side as Aaron Finch is all set to miss the first ODI due to a knee injury. Ben McDermott or Alex Carry can open in the absence of the skipper in this match. Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, and Aston Turner will handle the middle order. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will lead the pace attack along with Adam Zampa who will handle the spin responsibility.
West Indies: Even Lewis, Shai Hope(wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard(c), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph.
Australia: Matthew Wade(c&wk), Ben McDermott, Alex Carey, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Aston Turner, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff
Match Prediction
West Indies have won the T20I series by 4-1 as they will be high on confidence in this match and they will look to continue their dominance in this ODI series as well. Australia will play without their skipper Aaron Finch so West Indies will start as favorites to win this first ODI match.
Fantasy Picks
Batsmen: Even Lewis had performed well in the T20I series and also played well in the last ODI series as well. Lewis scored 181 runs at an average of 60 in three ODIs against Sri Lanka. Darren Bravo also played well in the last ODI series where he scored 149 runs at an average of 75. Moises Henriques will play a key role in the Australian line-up in the absence of some senior players.
Wicket-Keeper: Wade got a couple of good starts in the T20I series and he will look to convert some starts in this series. Shai Hope will open for West Indies and will be the best batsman for his side. Hope scored 258 runs in the last series against Sri Lanka.
All-Rounders: Mitchell Marsh was the top performer for Australia in the T20 series as the all-rounder scored 219 runs and picked 8 wickets. He will look to continue it into this ODI series as well. Jason Holder will perform an important role as a pace all-rounder in this ODI series and Fabian Allen also looked in good rhythm in the T20I series.
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood will aim to bounce back in this fifty overs format where they will get more overs to bowl and get back their rhythm. Sheldon Cottrell will be a key player with the new ball against the new opening pair of Australia. Cottrell picked 5 wickets in four matches in the T20I series.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: Matthew Wade, Shai Hope(c), Moises Henriques, Even Lewis, Darren Bravo, Mitchell Marsh (vc), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Sheldon Cottrell.
Captain – Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh was the top scorer in the T20I series and also picked the second highest wickets. He will be the best option for captaincy in this first ODI match.
Vice-Captain – Shai Hope
Shai Hope was the highest run-scorer in the last ODI series against Sri Lanka. He will be the best pick for vice-captain.
Dream11 Team
