5th ODI Preview: Australia eyeing a whitewash by Asher Wilson

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Event:

West Indies in Australia 2012/13

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DateLine: 9th February 2013

 

Australia v West Indies
5th ODI 2013
Match Preview

 

Australia will be chasing victory once again in the 5th ODI to secure a white-wash over the West Indies but will have to do it without their captain Michael Clarke when the two teams lock horns tomorrow at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

 

The West Indies have let themselves down in this series despite looking like a good chance to take the series before game 1 and they need this win to gain some confidence for the T20s. Tino Best was very enthusiastic during the 4th ODI and the Windies hope that Best can use his fire to help the Windies win the 5th ODI. Shane Watson looks in great form with the bat despite looking very poor only a week ago and surely his selection for India is guaranteed and he will be looking to go after the Windies bowlers once more.

 

Tino Best and Shane Watson’s battle during the 4th ODI was brutal with plenty of words being spoken. It was Watson who won the war but Best who won the battle as the West Indies fast man got the dangerous Watson out caught behind for 76. Best will have a good opportunity to pick up early wickets in Melbourne on the drop in pitches and needs to get at least one in the first 10 overs to put the Windies in a good position. Shane Watson has been in hot form and he will be the danger man for the Aussies as they look to clean sweep the one-day series.

 

Michael Clarke has been ruled out of the 5th ODI with a hamstring injury, Shaun Marsh has been included in the side as back up. Glen Maxwell and Matthew Wade will also be missing in action as they have flown to India which means Marsh, Voges and Bailey will play whereas . Mitchell Starc was rested for the 4th ODI, it is unclear whether he will return or not. Doherty is also a chance of getting a game since he hasn’t featured in the ODI series yet.

 

Shane Watson, only two matches into his own return from a calf problem, will lead the team at the MCG, with Shaun Marsh called into the ODI squad as cover. Instead of travelling to Melbourne, Clarke will remain in Sydney for recovery work until leaving for India on February 12.

 

Johnson Charles got a duck in his first match of the series but if Chris Gayle is fit to play, Charles will miss out.

 

Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson (capt), 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Phillip Hughes, 4 George Bailey / Shaun Marsh, 5 Adam Voges, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Mitchell Johnson, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Ben Cutting, 10 Clint McKay, 11 Xavier Doherty.

 

West Indies (possible) 1 Kieron Powell, 2 Chris Gayle / Johnson Charles, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Dwayne Bravo, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Narsingh Deonarine, 7 Devon Thomas (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Andre Russell, 10 Sunil Narine, 11 Tino Best.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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