KEY BATTLES TO WATCH OUT FOR THE WEST INDIES TRI-SERIES 2016
The much awaited Tri-Series between West Indies,South Africa and Australia is going to start from 3rd June 2016. This year has been a remarkable one for the West Indies so far as they had bagged all the three major ICC Trophies this year, starting from ICC U – 19 cricket world cup in Bangladesh at the start of the year to the ICC World T20 of men’s and women’s in March-April in India. Now their focus is on the Tri Series in their home land. For Australia, Mitchell Starc is all set to comeback after recovering from the series of foot injury. Adam Zampa will also be in spotlight in Australia’s campaign. On the other hand Wayne Parnell along with Tabraiz Samshi has been included in the proteas ODI squad. The Tri Series seems to be promising with so many talented players on show. CricBol analysis the Top 5 key battles to watch out for from the Triangular Series.
AB de Villiers vs Mitchell Starc
One of the best batsman in the world ‘AB de Villiers’ will be a key player for South Africa so will be Mitchell Starc for Australia. Although ‘Mitchell Starc’ is returning to international cricket after a long time but it will be a challenge for all the batters (including AB de Villiers) to face his inswinging thunder bolts delivered at an speed of 150 kmph. ‘AB de Villiers’ was in prime form in VIVO IPL 2016 as he scored 687 runs with 6 fifties and a century and will want to carry his form in this Tri Series too.
Hashim Amla vs Sunil Narine
The Mystery-man from Windies ‘Sunil Narine’ will be the key bowler in this Tri Series for his side. Sunil Narine’s main strength is his uncanny variations which keep the batsmen guessing all the time. On the other hand, the Mighty Hash from South Africa ‘Hashim Amla’ one of the best in the business against spin will be a challenge for Sunil Narine to contain as Amla has this great ability of maneuvering the ball in the gaps and rotate the strike. Hashim Amla is the fastest batsman to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 runs in ODI Cricket history (in terms of innings played). He is also the fastest batsman to reach 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd ton in One Day Internationals Cricket.
Steve Smith vs Kagiso Rabada
Aussie Skipper ‘Steve Smith’ might probe to be a winning player for Australia in this Tri Series against both the sides. Steve Smith has a unique batting stance and a technique of his own . He has played 72 one day internationals for Australia so far in which he has scored 2082 runs at an average of 40.04. He has 5 hundreds and 9 fifties in One Day Internationals. On the other hand the new Pace sensation from the Proteas camp ‘Kagiso Rabada’ will be in the spotlight. He has played 14 One Day Internationals for South Africa and has taken 30 wickets with the exceptional economy of 4.83. The battle between Smith and Rabada will be the one to watch out for.
Adam Zampa vs Faf Du Plessis
‘Adam Zampa’ and ‘Faf du Plesiss’ have played for the same franchise (Rising Pune Supergiants) in IPL 2016. Adam Zampa was the key bowler for RPS in the just concluded Indian Premier League. Adam Zampa had played only 5 IPL matches this year in which he took 12 wickets with the economy of just 6.76. Du Plessis must have played Zampa in the nets but this will be a different game all together when both will lock horns against each other while playing for their respective countries. In One Day Internationals Adam Zampa is yet to be be tested as he has played only 2 ODIs for Australia so far in which he has taken 3 wickets at an economy rate of 5.10. On the other side, Faf Du Plessis is a very mature and experience batsman in One Day International format. He has played 87 ODIs for South Africa so far in which he has scored 2944 runs at an average of 39.25 with 20 fifties and 5 hundreds. The battle between these two Pune team-mates will fascinating to watch during the Triangular series.
James Faulkner vs Kieron Pollard
The power hitter from the Caribbean team ‘Kieron Pollard’ will be in the spotlight for lots of reasons apart from his devastating batting. His little but destructive cameo in One Day Internationals might revive the fortunes of struggling West Indies ODI outfit. West Indies skipper ‘Jason Holder’ must be a very happy man with the come back of Pollard in the ODI squad and will be hoping that Pollard can play a key role of an all-rounder for his team as he does all around the World in franchise Cricket. Kieron Pollard has played 91 ODIs for West Indies in which he has scored 2042 runs and taken 44 wickets. On the other hand the Man of the Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final ‘James Faulkner ‘ will be one of the key player for Australia in this Tri-Series. Faulkner comfortably fit in the Australian Playing XI as an all rounder. The change of pace or variation in pace is one of the strength of Faulkner. In the slog overs, James Faulkner might be as destructive as Pollard with the bat in hands. The duel between these two will be one of the highlights of the Tri-nation series.