West Indies cricketers in a huddle before their training session at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. They play Australia in a must-win game of the ICC World Twenty20 today. (AFP)
Defending champions West Indies and Australia face off in a do-or-die clash in Dhaka today as action resumes in Group II of the World Twenty20 Super-10s after a two-day break.
India lead what is billed as the ‘Group of death’ with two consecutive wins, while Australia, the West Indies, Pakistan and hosts Bangladesh have lost a game each.
Three wins in four games will not guarantee a team one of the two semi-final places from the group, but two defeats will almost certainly hasten an early exit.
George Bailey’s Australians, seeking a maiden World T20 title after winning the 50-over World Cup four times, were beaten by Pakistan in their only match so far in the tournament.
The West Indies, who lost to India, bounced back to thrash Bangladesh by 73 runs on Tuesday, which gave the champions the best net run-rate (1.75) in the group.
Australia have three matches in hand and the West Indies two, but neither side can afford to lose the opening game of today’s double-header at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
Australian all-rounder James Faulkner has already added spice to the important contest after Australian media quoted him as saying he does not particularly like the West Indies team.
“The Australians normally have a lot to say,” Sammy told reporters when asked for a reaction. “We (are) just here to play cricket. I think James is the only cricketer who does not love West Indies. I could safely say that West Indies are the second favourite team for the fans (after their home team Bangladesh).”
“It doesn’t bother us. Talk is talk. We just got to walk the talk out there on the field. He can say all he wants. We’re not bothered by it,” added the all-rounder.
Eventual champions West Indies thumped Australia by 74 runs in the semi-final of the 2012 tournament in Sri Lanka and Sammy said his team was getting close their best.
“So far in the tournament we’ve not played to our full potential. Once we do that, we’d be very destructive and we were destructive in that semi-final (in the) last World Cup.”
Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said the knockout situation was a blessing in disguise.
“Sometimes that can relieve the pressure because you know where you stand,” Haddin said.
“There will be no second chance for us. We have got to make sure that we bring our A game and deliver under pressure. We have done that well over the last four months and I see no reason why we can’t do it again.”
Sammy though admitted it would be a tough match. “Australia are a good side, so we know it won’t be an easy game,” he said. “But then it is just another cricket match—a contest between bat and ball. Teams which usually handle pressure better win.”
Australia may leave out 43-year-old spinner Brad Hogg, the oldest player ever in World Twenty20 competitions, who had a forgettable outing against Pakistan.
Hogg dropped Umar Akmal, top-scorer with 94 off 54 balls, when he was on 22 and then conceded 29 runs in three wicketless overs after being called on to bowl in the ninth over.
Hogg could be replaced by 20-year-old spinner James Muirhead, while all-rounder James Faulkner was set to play after recovering from a knee injury.
The West Indies’ batting still looks unsettled despite Dwayne Smith’s 72 off 43 balls and a run-a-ball 48 by the unusually dour Chris Gayle, both against Bangladesh.
But the bowling has come good with spinners Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine striking rich form along with unheralded left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie.
“We need to play to our full potential with everyone chipping in,” Sammy said. “I don’t think we have played to our potential yet.”
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Indians will take on the hosts in the second match of the evening, looking to build on the two identical seven-wicket wins over Pakistan and the West Indies.
