This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams and continue with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for the third T20I between West Indies and Australia that is scheduled to take place on the 16th of July 2021.
West Indies might have clinched the 5-match series 3-1 with a game to be played on Friday, but the Australians have come back in style winning a thriller in the 4th T20I. Mitchell Marsh continued his impressive all-round show scoring a career-best 75 and taking 3/24 with the ball. Undeniably, he is their biggest positive from this rather disappointing series for them.
Skipper Aaron Finch(53) stroked a timely half-century as an opener and showed a glimpse of his ability after having not scored much in the 1st 3 games. Barring the duo and Daniel Christian, the rest of the batting failed in Australia’s total of 189.
The Windies, on the other hand, suffered a middle-order collapse after their openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis gave them a blistering start. They scored 62 inside 5 overs but the duo of Adam Zampa and Mitchell Marsh pulled things back for the Aussies. In the end, Simmons’ 72 and cameos from Fabien Allen(29 off 14) and Andre Russell(24 off 13) were not enough for the Windies as they suffered their 1st loss of the series.
Match Details
Venue: Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
Pitch and Weather: The pitch of St Lucia has been a mixed bag thus far. While the 1st 3 games had some help for the spinners and pacers with variations, the 4th T20I was a high-scoring one. The average score here has been 150-60 thus far and the final T20I of the series will more or less see similar totals being achieved. The weather should be clear on the matchday with no rain being predicted.
Date and time: July 16, 2021, 7.30 PM Local, 5.00 AM IST(17th July)
Probable Playing XIs
West Indies might have lost the game on Wednesday but they will want to give maximum chances to all those in the line-up. The fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell are likely to get another game along with the impressive Hayden Walsh Jr. Kevin Sinclair who was added as a replacement to Obed McCoy may come in place of Akeal Hosein in the last T20I.
The Aussies also might not want to tinker with the team that won the penultimate T20I of the series and would be tempted to give them another chance in the final game. But if they are to change, then they could look at bringing Andrew Tye for Riley Meredith.
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran(c&wk), Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein/ Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell.
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade(wk), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Dan Christian, Riley Meredith/Andrew Tye, Mitch Starc/ Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff
Match Prediction
West Indies, despite losing the previous game will start as favorites to clinch the series 4-1 but the Aussies can’t be counted out. If the middle-order fires, then we can have another cracker of a match.
Fantasy Tips
Batsman: Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons have been the in-form players for the West Indies at the top of the order. They should be obvious picks in the dream 11 team. Aaron Finch also seemed to have found his back in the 4th T20I, so he is another batsman who can be part of your fantasy team.
All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh has been the best player for Australia in this series thus far and should be definitely part of the fantasy team. The West Indies all-rounders Fabian Allen and Andre Russell almost pulled off a stunning win in the last game, they have been good with the ball as well.
Wicket-Keepers: West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran had a disappointing series as a batsman but has done a great job as a leader. He will want to end the series on a high by scoring a noteworthy knock.
Bowlers: Hayden Walsh is the pick of the bowlers in this series and along with him, also select the counterpart Adam Zampa from Australia in the dream 11. Both were amongst wickets in the last game. While the lead left-arm pacers from both teams, Mitchell Starc and Sheldon Cottrell can be selected.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh(c), Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Mitchell Starc, Hayden Walsh(VC), Sheldon Cottrell, Adam Zampa
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh has been prolific with the bat at the top of the order and has also been contributing with taking wickets in all the games. So he will be the best pick for captain in this match.
Vice-Captain: Hayden Walsh
Walsh is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 scalps from 4 games. So he can the best option for a vice-captain.
Dream11 Team
