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Australia begin their ICC T20 World Cup campaign against Oman, who were agonisingly beaten by Namibia via a ‘Super Over’ on Monday after the two sides contested a thrilling tie.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday 5th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 17:30 / USA (CST) – 19:30 / USA (EST) – 20:30 / Thursday 6th June, 2024: UK – 01:30 / India – 06:00 / South Africa – 02:30 / Pakistan – 06:00 / Australia – 10:30 / Bangladesh – 06:30
VENUE: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies
WEATHER: A chance of light rain showers early on, but should clear up with sunny intervals afterwards and temperature of 30c
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / Australia – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / Australia – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
AUSTRALIA FORM: CUMMINS’ MEN ARRIVE IN BARBADOS HAVING WON THEIR LAST THREE
Although Australia come into the ICC T20 World Cup on the back of a three-match winning streak in T20i cricket, you have to go back to February for the last time they actually played the format, so there may be a bit of a settling in period for the squad before really hitting their straps as a unit.
LAST FIVE: WWWLW
OMAN FORM: CAN OMAN RECOVER FOLLOWING SUPER OVER HEARTBREAK
After contesting a low-scoring thriller against Namibia which eventually finished in a tie with both teams scoring 109 runs, Oman lost the resulting ‘Super Over’ as Namibia plundered 21 runs batting first, which Aaqib Ilyas Sulehri’s side couldn’t match.
LAST FIVE: LWLWW
AUSTRALIA BETTING ANALYSIS
You have to assume that Australia’s assorted of big-hitters will cash in against Oman, with world class hitters both opening the batting and coming in down the order. Expect them to get off to a good start by putting up over 26.5 match runs for the first wicket and to accrue a higher opening partnership than that of Namibia.
It would also represent a smart play to bet on Australia to rack up a higher score after six overs than their opponents, regardless of whether they are setting or chasing a target. Whilst backing the Australians to score the most match sixes and most match fours are also available, the odds offer very little value.
In what is his final tournament for Australia before retirement, David Warner will no doubt want to make the maximum impact with big scores throughout. He’s not been in good form but playing for his country at a major competition so often brings the best out of the long-standing opener and backing him to hit over 26.5 match runs here is worthy of consideration.
OMAN BETTING ANALYSIS
Oman’s bowling attack faces an avalanche of hard-hitting batters to try and contain and their best chance of doing so will be to take wickets. Australia should at least give them the opportunity to do that by playing plenty of aggressive and thus risky shots. Mehran Khan took three Namibian scalps and backing him to gain 1+ here appears a shrewd option.
The top order all struggled vs Namibia, their top three adding just six runs in total with two of them dismissed for 0. It’s only going to get harder for them against an incredibly strong Australian bowling attack and investment in Oman to put on under 16.5 runs for the first wickets is a sensible move to make.
AUSTRALIA VS OMAN EXPERT PREDICTION
Any outcome here other than a comprehensive victory for Australia would be a massive shock and whilst they may not hit the ground running when considering how long it has been since their last T20i as a collective team, the Australians should still surely have far too much firepower and all-round quality for Oman to cope with.
After seeing left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann pick up four wickets for Namibia against Oman last time out, including the entire Omani top three, this bodes well for Australia’s own left-arm quick bowler in Mitchell Starc. Off the back of lighting up the IPL play-offs which saw his Kolkata Knight Riders side lift the trophy, Starc may well carry that form into this World Cup and is expected to be afforded plenty of joy in this contest.
AUSTRALIA VS OMAN TOP TIP: MITCHELL STARC TO TAKE 2+ WICKETS