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| Preview: Pakistan vs Australia 3rd T20 Dubai 2012 Posted: 09 Sep 2012 02:15 PM PDT
Australia won’t be taking the field considering the match as a dead rubber encounter. Going into this series, Australia were never the favourites, but they had a great opportunity to redeem their reputation in this format. The Aussies had a poor outing in the first match, but in the second one they were touch unlucky by losing in the one-over eliminator. The visiting team after suffering the big loss in the first T20 pulled back things and improved their performance as a team. Openers David Warner and Shane Watson got the starts and failed to make it big, but skipper George Bailey was a revelation with the bat by tying the match.
It’s spin bowling which is giving the Australian batsmen a hard time, but they are not able to take a cue from that and playing a lone spinner in the form of Brad Hogg. On the other hand, Pakistan are consistent by fielding three spinners – Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan and Mohammad Hafeez. The Australian team management might tinker with the combination for the third match and might include Xavier Doherty in place of Daniel Christian, who’s being wasted down the order. Moreover, they can also afford to rest one of the pacers, either Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins keeping in mind the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 next month. After winning the series, Pakistan are in the driver’s seat and would take the field with nothing to lose attitude. Captain Mohammad Hafeez would be a happy man by seeing his team peaking at the right time, just prior to the T20 extravaganza. Moreover, as a team they are clicking in every department, be it batting and bowling. The Pakistan team is a mix of youth and experience with the presence of veterans Abdur Razzaq, Akmal and Shahid Afridi. Meanwhile, Nashir Jamshed and left-arm spinner Hasan are the finds of this ongoing series. In the pace bowling department, Umal Gul and Sohail Tanvir have proved to be the exploits of this shorter format. It is very unlikely of Afridi playing due to the finger injury and Pakistan would not like to risk him in this inconsequential match, but also would not like to make too many changes. Probable XIs: Australia: 1 Shane Watson, 2 David Warner, 3 George Bailey (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 David Hussey, 6 Mathew Wade (wk), 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Daniel Christian/Xavier Doherty, 9 Brad Hogg, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins/Ben Hilfenaus  |
| Preview: England vs South Africa 2nd T20 Manchester 2012 Posted: 09 Sep 2012 01:10 PM PDT
England who were already outplayed by upbeat South Africans in Tests by losing their world number one status, will be eyeing to settle score in the second match. Jacques Kallis, who returned to international duty after being rested from the drawn one-day series against England, made 48 not out off 44 balls. Together with left-hander JP Duminy (47 not out) he shared an unbroken stand of 90 runs as South Africa went 1-0 up in the T20 series.
For England, their top order, which failed in the first match, need to come up. Wicketkeeper batsman Criag Kieswetter (25) was the top-scorer for the hosts. England will be expecting a good show from the opening batsman. The Old Trafford track is considered to be a spinner friendly track and England would be aware of the Robin Peterson and Johan Botha threat. Though England were off to a good start in the first T20, but apart from Kieswetter, the top order failed miserably and the home team was bundled out for just 118. Alex Hales, who was run out by Jacques Kallis for meagre 11, will be given another chance on Monday. The poor run for Ravi Bopara continues and he scored six runs without a single wicket in the last match. Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow who are known for their devastating batting in the shorter format of the game, didn't click in the previous match. Morgan and Bairstow could just score 10, 15 runs respectively. In the bowling department, the England bowling attack seemed quite weak in the previous match. Steven Finn and Jade Dernbach shared three wickets between them. In the absence of Tim Bresnan and James Anderson, Finn and Dernbach will be leading the England bowling attack. On the spinner friendly track of Old Trafford, the services of Graeme Swann and Samit Patel will be of much help for England. On the other hand, South Africa are balanced in every department. Though the opening batsman Richard Levi and skipper AB de Villers didn't click in the first match, but a good knock will be expected from them. Experienced Kallis and Duminy came in good with the bat in the first T20, with their sturdy 90-run partnership. The same kind of show from them will be expected by their skipper de Villiers and the South African team. The bowling department will be spearheaded by their most reliable Dale Steyn along with Lonwabo Tsotsobe. For South Africa, Botha and Peterson will hold key to the visiting team’s bowling. Probables XIs: England: 1 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Ravi Bopara, 4 Eoin Morgan, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Samit Patel, 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad (capt), 10 Steven Finn, 11 Jade Dernbach  |
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