Australia Tour of West Indies (WI vs AUS): 5 changes West Indies need to make to tame Australia in T20I series – After facing a heartbreaking loss against South Africa in the T20I series, Kieron Pollard’s West Indies team is all set to host Aaron Finch’s Australian side for another five-match T20I series. West Indies are the winners of the last T20 World Cup played in India in 2016 and they have started their preparation for the next WC with these T20I series. However, against even a 2nd-string Australia, they need to pull up their socks especially with Andre Russell’s return to form.
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Windies are ranked ninth in the T20I ranking while South Africa is ranked however there was a lot of T20 experience in the WI squad yet they missed a trick or two in the South Africa series. Ahead of the Australia series, Kieron Pollard and co will aim to get things right. We at InsideSport will take you through five changes that Windies need to make in order to tame Australia.
Australia Tour of West Indies: Open with Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle was asked to showcase his talent at number three in the South Africa series. However, the T20 legend AKA Universe Boss has failed to adopt the new role. The left-hand explosive batsman could only score 56 runs in the 4 matches that he played. Bring him back as an opener alongside Evin Lewis will not be a bad option to try for Pollard. Gayle’s stats as an opener is unbelievable and he would be more comfortable hitting the ball in the powerplay.
Australia Tour of West Indies: Drop Jason Holder to play a proper batsman
West Indies are known to play many all-rounders. Pollard, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo are already back on the team. However, veteran all-rounder, Jason Holder has failed to live up to the expectation with the bat as well as with the ball. In the three matches that he played against South Africa, he could only pick two wickets. In the six matches that he has played in 2021, the right-hand batsman has only scored 155 runs. Pollard can add a proper batsman by dropping Jason.
Australia Tour of West Indies: Add Shimron Hetmyer
With Nicholas Pooran going through a bad patch, Shimron Hetmyer could be added to the playing XI to solidify the middle order. The left-hand batter can play explosive innings as well as can play the role of an anchor in a crisis situation. In 30 T20I, Hetmyer has so far scored 436 runs.
Australia Tour of West Indies: Play Andre Russell at number 4
Andre Russell scored 62 runs in the five matches against South Africa. Pollard needs to find a way to promote Andre Russell up the order as Windies are underutilizing him. Currently, he bats at number seven and hardly gets to face more than 20 balls. This will also give him time to settle down before going full throttle.
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Australia Tour of West Indies: Bowl spin in the powerplay
Australian top-order is not comfortable playing spin and as this Aussie side has very little experience of T20I, West Indies should look to attack them in the powerplay with spinners. Kevin Sinclair who has picked four wickets in six games so far, along with Akeal Hosein can keep Australian openers quiet in the powerplay.
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