Australia, West Indies ready to face off on 'world record pitch'

NOTTINGHAM: Australia and West Indies will be playing their second match of the tournament against each other today at Trent Bridge. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm (PST) and 10:30 am (local time)

The match between Australia (title defenders) and West Indies (twice champions) has all the elements of a heavy metal contest.

The game will be played on the record pitch, as it's regularly known as after England's 481 against Australia.

It's nothing unexpected. Australia and West Indies brag substantial mounted weapons in the fast bowling division and both conveyed it generously in their opening seven-wicket victories against Afghanistan and Pakistan, separately.

West Indies destroyed Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament. Most prominent was Andre Russell's venomous three-over spell, of which 18 deliveries were short, that got two wickets and yielded only four runs.

The two-time world champions also haunted the Kiwis in a warm-up before the tournament by putting on an amazing 421 runs on the board as a target to chase.

It isn't hard to comprehend the West Indies' faith in the viability of pace. The West Indies squad has the solid potential of fast bowlers like Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Andre Russell, and the skipper Jason Holder who can be essential to hustle the batsmen.

Furthermore, it was the pace that prompted England's stunning loss in their 2019 visit.

All things considered, West Indies have demonstrated that they are not a side to be played easily with. The team will look to fuel their endeavors to grab the 2019 ICC World Cup trophy.

Every element of massive destruction is there in West Indies’ team and if they strike with those elements, it could shake every one of us game long.

However, ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings and the team with the most number of “World Champions” title, Australia, are peaking at the right time.

The kangaroos are steadily ready to give West Indies a taste of its own medicine –bouncers –especially to keep Gayle and the company in check.

They outclassed Afghanistan in their first match of the tournament, with Warner scoring a brilliant 89*, along with his partner Aaron Finch (66) to chase 209.

Smith will be the binding agent for the team. The defending champions, Australia will have the comfort of playing five out of the first six matches against lower-ranked oppositions although no game will be an easy win.

They are the sort of team that, if they get on track and build some momentum, then they could win it all.

On paper and on the recent results, Australia and West Indies, both look formidable sides. There is enough quality in their teams to ensure they finish in the top four.

Weather conditions in Nottingham

Patchy rain is expected in Nottingham. The sky will be mostly cloudy with a very little chance of any sunny spell. Moderate breeze is also expected with humid factor in the atmosphere.

AUS-WI ODI stats:

Head to head matches: 139

AUS won: 73

WI won: 60

Tied: 3

No result: 3

Highest total: 341/8 by Australia in 2008

Lowest total: 70/10 by West Indies in 2013

Most runs: DL Haynes (WI), 2262 runs in 64 matches

Most wickets: CJ McDermott (AUS), 63 wickets in 35 matches

Australia's squad for ICC World Cup 2019: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glen Maxell, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson

West Indies' squad for ICC World Cup 2019: Jason Holder (c), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Fabien Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Ashley Nurse