CWG 2022: Current ODI and T20I World Cup champions Australia would face Barbados in the 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 31, with both teams fancying a win after their superb victory in their respective tournament opener. While Australia’s lower-order rallied to win a thriller against India by 3 wickets, debutant Barbados defeated Pakistan by 15 runs. Although Barbados is making their international debut in this tournament, they boast of as many as seven capped players who have played for West Indies. Hence, when Barbados defeated Pakistan, it didn’t raise any eyebrows as they already had the international experience to compete in such a tournament.
Australia’s depth inspires awe
If any team could chase down a target of 155 after being 5 down for 49 in the 8th over, it has to be Australia. Ashleigh Gardner showed great cricketing sense to first bat Australia out of trouble against India, and then chase it down with an over to spare. Gardner made 52 not out. It shows Australia’s great bench strength and proves they have probably no tail. A player of the quality of Ellyse Perry has to warm the benches speaks volumes of Australia’s great reserve.
But complacency could be the biggest bane for Australia. It could be possible that champions Australia take newcomers Barbados lightly and face an upset. In order to prevent that, the Australian top-order, which came a cropper against India, will have to fire to let the middle-order breathe a bit easy.
ICYMI, Ashleigh Gardner helped the Aussies secure a win for the ages on debut at the Comm Games!
Watch a full replay of the match on 7plus: https://t.co/EjphboQR0W #AUSvIND #BoldInGold pic.twitter.com/rma5N2Ith4
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) July 29, 2022
Key players: Alyssa Healy, who was out for a second-ball duck against India, would look to turn things around and bring her attacking batting to the fore. She is a big-match player, and knowing a win could pave the way for a berth in the semis, Healy could just go all out against Barbados.
Previous results: Australia has been unbeaten in the last 5 T20Is, winning 3 while 2 ended up as no results.
Probable XI: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt.
READ MORE: CWG 2022: Team India Ready To Face Arch Rival Pakistan In A Crucial Clash
Barbados could manage an upset
In the first match itself, Barbados has proved that they are not in CWG 2022 to just make up the numbers. A squad of 7 capped West Indies players has given them the necessary experience to compete in international cricket. They had upset an experienced Pakistan team in the opener and had given themselves an opportunity to claim a semis berth and possibly, a medal.
Their captain Hayley Mathews led from the front against Pakistan, hitting 51 and stitching a 107-run stand for the second wicket with Kycia Knight (62*) against Pakistan. But Mathews has had a strike of just over 100, and this is something Aussies bowlers would look to exploit to put Barbados on the backfoot. Barbados bowlers came good against Pakistan, with Hayley Mathews being the pick of the bowlers, with 1/13 in 4 overs. Barbados would need another team effort to get the better of mighty Australia.
5⃣0⃣ for @MyNameIs_Hayley!
She scored 51 off 50 with 4 fours and a six.#BARvPAK #B2022 #CWG2022 #CWG22 pic.twitter.com/j0Pr3ueU6P
— Women's CricInsight | #INDvAUS | #WIvENG | #NZvBAN (@WCI_Official) July 29, 2022
Previous results: Barbados has begun their international journey in T20Is with a bang, defeating Pakistan in the CWG 2022 opener.
Key players: Keeper Kycia Knight would once again have to bring her best batting out to counter the mighty Aussie bowlers. After her brilliant 62 not out against Pakistan, Knight’s wicket would be the most prized one for the Aussies.
Probable XI: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Aaliyah Williams
Head to Head
This will the first encounter between Australia and Barbados.
Pitch Report
Edgbaston in Birmingham pitch is good for batting, but bowlers too can make it count, if they land the ball in the right areas. It would be an even contest between bat and ball.
CWG 2022 Match 6 Telecast Details:
TV: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: Sony Liv App
CWG 2022 Squads for Australia vs Barbados match:
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington
Barbados: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shai Carrington, Shaunte Carrington, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Tiffany Thorpe, Aaliyah Williams
