Cricket Today Podcast – Episode 42, Friday February 9 – Windies vs Australia 1st T20 to go down to the wire? Cricket Today starts by debating the best cricketers to have played for multiple countries in International cricket, with Dirk Nannes and the current star Tim David leading the charge. Building the knowledge and expertise, CODE Sports journalist Daniel Cherny joins the show for an interview, talking about the young Aussie stars, the West Indies squad and if the right team was picked for future Australia T20’s. Finally the panel give a huge preview for the Australia vs West Indies 1st T20I in Hobart, with the Aussies looking set to win a close battle. Cricket Today’s Liam ‘Stats Guy’ McAllion, Marcus Bazzano and Leo Mullaly talk all things T20, ODI and Test cricket!
The T20 International series begins tonight as Australia take on the West Indies with the visitors posting a whole new squad. Read on and listen to the Cricket Today Podcast for who will shine in the T20’s of Australia vs West Indies and if the away side has a chance.
BOLSTERED WEST INDIES SQUAD
The Windies are looking to quickly bounce back after making an embarrassing 86 run total against Australia in the last ODI earlier in the week, but they have some strong players return for the T20 format here.
With past T20 World Cup champions Andre Russell and Johnson Charles back into the lineup, the West Indies have a lot more experience in their lineup to keep this series competitive.
Adding to this is Akeal Hosein, who Leo Mullaly talks up on the Cricket Today Podcast, “Hosein has shown how hard he is to get away in International matches and BBL games for the Renegades, his spin can make a real difference in this series.”
Although this is an older squad overall, this side should put up a much stronger score than the ODI and has specific white ball specialists to make this an exciting series.
Spencer Johnson of South Australia celebrates a wicket during the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
RISING AUSSIE
With Nathan Ellis out injured and many of the usual Aussie fast bowlers being rotated this summer, Spencer Johnson has been added to the squad and looks set to have an immediate impact.
Liam ‘Stats Guy’ McAllion was all for this inclusion on the Cricket Today Podcast, “Johnson was amazing in the Big Bash as the league’s second top wicket taker, he has impressed at State level and has a wide variety of change up deliveries perfect for this format.”
The fast bowler can take inspiration from the amazing start of Brisbane teammate Xavier Bartlett’s International career who had two four wicket hauls in his first two matches last week and at 28 years old Johnson is in the prime of his bowling career.
AUSTRALIA vs WEST INDIES 1st T20
Blundstone Arena, Friday 7pm AEDT
After demolishing the Windies 3-0 in the ODI series, the Aussies go into this T20 series as heavy favourites, but this could be a lot closer.
Although some stars return for the West Indies it is hard for any nation to beat the Aussies at home, with the green and gold winning three of the last four T20 series here.
With Josh Inglis coming off a 65 and 35 runs in the recent ODI series, he could be the difference once again at the top order here and the depth of Aussie bowlers no matter who is picked will be too strong.
Australia will take confidence from a 2-0 series win in their last T20 series with the West Indies and including some in form Big Bash players will help them get over the line again.
TIP: Australia