Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar return as Australia eye T20 World Cup Super Eight matchups

Australia made two key changes to their lineup for their final Group B match against Scotland, with an eye on the crucial Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup.

Fresh faces for future battles

Ashton Agar, the left-arm spinner, received his first World Cup appearance of the tournament. This selection hints at Australia’s strategy for the upcoming matches, where they are likely to face spin-heavy Asian opponents.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were rested for this encounter, paving the way for Agar and the returning Mitchell Starc, who overcame a calf niggle.

Australia seek match fitness

Despite having already secured qualification for the Super Eights, Australia opted to bowl first after winning the toss. For Scotland, however, victory is essential to progress at England’s expense.

Ashton Agar: Spin weapon for Super Eight

The inclusion of Ashton Agar over Cameron Green signifies a shift in focus for Australia. Agar, despite limited recent playing time, is being primed for a potential starting role alongside Adam Zampa in the Super Eights.

This strategy is particularly relevant for their second match, likely against Bangladesh, where spin has proven highly effective.

Selection based on conditions

Australia’s selection chief, George Bailey, revealed internal analysis suggesting significant spin potential at the Arnos Vale ground in St Vincent, where their second Super Eights match will be played.

Agar could also be crucial against Afghanistan and India, depending on how the wickets deteriorate throughout the tournament.

Managing Workload

While Scotland attempts an upset victory, Australia’s main focus lies in preparing for the Super Eights. Chief selector Bailey highlighted the challenge of balancing player workload with maintaining form and rhythm.

While Cameron Green missed out on playing time, his recent stint in the IPL is considered sufficient preparation should he be needed later.

Scotland chasing a dream

Scotland, with an unchanged lineup, will strive to set a challenging target. Captain Richie Berrington acknowledged the external noise surrounding England’s match but emphasized their focus on defeating a top team to qualify.

The stage is set for an intriguing encounter, with Scotland aiming for a historic win and Australia seeking vital match fitness and strategic refinement before the Super Eights begin.

Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Adam Zampa.

Scotland 1 George Munsey, 2 Michael Jones, 3 Brandon McMullen, 4 Richie Berrington (capt), 5 Matthew Cross (wk), 6 Michael Leask, 7 Chris Greaves, 8 Mark Watt, 9 Chris Sole, 10 Brad Wheal, 11 Safyaan Sharif.