Scotland aim historic win against Australia to secure Super Eight spot

Australia and Scotland are set to take on each other in a crucial Group B fixture. The Aussies have already secured their spot in the super-eights, but a win for Scotland would also take them through and leave defending champions England eliminated. England’s empathic victory against Oman means they are safe as far as net run-rate is concerned, Scotland just needs to beat Australia and that would secure their spot in the next round.

The prospect of Scotland getting past the Aussies is a difficult one. Mitchell Marsh’s side has looked like one of the best sides in this World Cup, and even if some of the front-line players are rested, they would still be expected to take down Scotland. 

However, Scotland does not arrive into this match without a chance of pulling of a historic victory. They have played some amazing cricket and a win in this fixture will not only take them through to the next round but will also ensure their participation in the next T20 World Cup.

Scotland’s top order, led by George Munsey, is full of power, while skipper Richie Berrington brings the required calmness in the middle overs. He and Leask were involved in a match-winning partnership against Namibia.

Australia goes into this match with no worries or concerns whatsoever. The luxury of an already secured super-eight spot will allow them to make numerous rotations. Former skipper Pat Cummins said that their aim was always to give match-time to as many players in the squad as possible. The last meeting between the two sides was at the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia where the hosts won the game by seven wickets.

There has been a lot of noise around Australia’s tactics of leaving out top players for this match. Mitchell Starc is not expected to play this game too as it wouldn’t be wise to rush his return. Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, and Josh Inglish are yet to feature in this tournament so far. Nathan Ellis is likely to retain his place, partnering up with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to make up a threatening pace trip. 

Brad Currie, who missed the fixture against Oman with a niggle, is expected to return for this match and is likely to replace Safyaan Sharif. George Munsey and Michael Jones will be opening the innings for Scotland while Brandon McMullen will be coming at the first drop. Captain Berrington, wicketkeeper Matthew Cross, and Leask will be forming up the middle order for Scotland. 

St Lucia will be hosting its first game of this year’s T20 World Cup, so it yet another venue for teams to get used to. Australia will be returning to this venue to face India and either Scotland or England will take on West Indies at this ground which is named after two-time World Cup winner Daren Sammy. Some showers are predicted during the match, for which Scotland might be praying as a no result would be enough for them to go through.