Australia vs Scotland. (Source – Getty Images)
Possibly the most awaited clash of T20 World Cup 2024 Group B beckons as Australia prepare to take on Scotland at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium at Gros Islet, St. Lucia. The fate of both England and Scotland rests on this match.
Given the disparities in their net run rates, Scotland will have to win this match to qualify for the Super 8s if England beat Namibia. If either game is washed out, Scotland go through.
Both teams are coming off of rather comprehensive wins. Australia made Namibia work very hard with the bat as Gerhard Erasmus scored exactly half of his team’s runs. Adam Zampa’s 4-fer found ample support from the rest of Australia’s bowling in shooting Nambia out for just 72. Australia decided to take an aggressive approach with all three of their players who batted at two runs a ball or more which led them chasing the low target down within the powerplay.
Scotland also displayed a very good performance against Oman. Oman decided to bat first, but barring Pratik Athavale and Ayaan Khan, none of their batters managed to last very long facing some restrictive bowling from Mark Watt and Brad Wheal, eventually leading to a total of just 150. George Munsey came out in a hurry and was setting it up for Scotland. Brandon McMullen then kept the runs flowing as Scotland chased the target down with almost seven overs to spare.
Daren Sammy Stadium Pitch Report:
Gros Islet is among the more batting-friendly venues in the West Indies, and the aggressive overlook that both these batting units have taken on is likely to be complimented. This match may even lead to the closest thing to a run-fest that this tournament could give.
T20I Stats and Records at Daren Sammy Stadium:
Without any no-results, the split between the number of matches won batting first and batting second is an equal 9-9 from a total of 18 matches. The average first innings total is 160 which is on the higher side.
Matches Won Batting First- 9
Matches Won Batting Second- 9
Tied Matches- 0
Matches With No Result- 0
Highest Team Total- 199/8
Lowest Team Total- 105
Highest Total Successfully Chased- 192
Lowest Total Successfully Defended- 146
Average First Innings Total- 160
Strategies & Match-ups for Australia vs Scotland:
This stadium is likely to be batting-friendly, so the bowlers of both teams will come to the forefront. Australia’s dismantling of Namibia will give them the confidence to be able to repeat it against Scotland unless they decide to pay heed to Josh Hazlewood’s “joke”. Scotland managed to hold its own against a precarious-looking English bowling team and would fancy itself to survive a more in-form Australian attack. Scotland’s batting innings will be the most pivotal part of this contest.
The important match-ups for this contest are: Michael Jones vs Mitchell Starc, Goerge Munsey vs Pat Cummins, Richie Berrington vs Adam Zampa, Brad Wheal vs David Warner, and Brad Currie vs Travis Head.
Check Here: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Runs
X-Factors for Australia vs Scotland:
Australia:
Adam Zampa won the Player of the Match award in each of Australia’s last two wins – against England and Namibia. He will again be important in trying to stop Scotland’s batting which has taken on a rampantly belligerent look.
Scotland:
Michael Jones has been the most important and consistent cog in the wheel of Scotland’s aggressive success. He will need to be at his blazing best against a very in-form bowling line-up if Scotland are to progress any further in the tournament.