Match facts
Saturday, June 6
Start time 14.00 (13.00 GMT)Split screen: Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson fine-tune ahead of the vitally important clash between Australia and West Indies•PA Photos
Big Picture
The last time a player was sent home as punishment by Australia on the eve of a major tournament was in 2003, but not even Shane Warne’s drug-related departure could stop the team from winning the World Cup. This time the scenario is less certain and not just because of Andrew Symonds’ absence for breaking team rules.One of Australia’s most serious concerns is a lack of game play in the format at international and domestic level. This was an area where Symonds was particularly important, but while there will be times when Australia crave his big hitting and useful overs, they won’t miss his off-field unpredictability.Until their major disruption on Thursday, Australia were making strong progress in their attempt to win the only major trophy that has evaded them. Comfortable victories came in the two warm-up games against Bangladesh and New Zealand, but now they face the real thing in a difficult group. Only two of Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka will progress to the next phase, meaning one team’s tournament will be over by Wednesday.West Indies have had a mixed lead-up, thrashing Ireland before suffering a nine-wicket loss to England on Wednesday. They will shrug their shoulders and hope everything clicks at The Oval.
T20 international form guide (last game first)
Australia LLLWW
West Indies WLTWL
Watch out for…
Chris Gayle has been a target in England for his attitude towards Tests, but now has the chance to show why he adores Twenty20. If he fires, like he did in rampaging 88 off 56 balls against Ireland, West Indies have a chance to escape the group. If he flops early there could be serious trouble. Either way, whatever he does will be exciting.While most interest will centre on David Warner’s potency, Shane Watson has the more important job at the top of the order. Warner has the freedom to explode, but Watson must be more selective to avoid an early collapse while planning the acceleration of the innings. He has matured significantly over the past couple of years and deserves the opportunity to guide the side.
Team news
Cameron White comes into the squad for Symonds and expects to arrive shortly before the game. This rules him out and should lead to Ricky Ponting playing another bowler. Australia’s attack looks strong, with Mitchell Johnson in form and Brett Lee improving as his recovery from injury continues.Australia squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.West Indies have some decisions to make following their practice games, with many of their batsmen missing important time in the middle. Gayle, Sarwan and Marshall are locked in, but the rest will be slightly nervous in the lead-up to the match.West Indies squad Chris Gayle (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor.
Pitch and conditions
The Oval is usually good for batting but is also expected to suit the slow bowlers, leaving Nathan Hauritz and Gayle with chances to make important marks. Saturday could be cool in London, with light rain predicted along with a top of 17C.
Stats and Trivia
- West Indies won the only Twenty20 encounter between the sides with a seven-wicket success in an 11-over contest last year
- Ricky Ponting is Australia’s leading run-scorer in the format with 376 while Chris Gayle leads West Indies with 261
- Australia are seen as being relatively fresh to Twenty20, having played 21 times in total, but West Indies have appeared in only seven international encounters
Quotes
“It probably throws the balance a little bit in our side but the beauty of our side is that there is a lot of flexibility within the group.”
“This is a fresh start.”
Chris Gayle moves on after blasting 88 in the Ireland warm-up
