Match preview: 3rd ODI - West Indies v Australia.
Date: September 11, 2019
Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
Here's a tale of whitewashes.
Australia have swept their oppositions - India, Pakistan, New Zealand, England - clean in their last few series. They last lost an ODI back in 2017. West Indies have been whitewashed in their previous series against England. However, the Caribbean team hasn't been whitewashed at home since 2003. A possible change, then?
Australia will look to finish the ODI series on a high with a clean sweep. Having put up a mighty score of 308 for 4 in the first ODI, the Aussies complied another dominant display by amassing 308 for the loss of just two wickets in game two.
Apart from Rachel Haynes, top-order batters Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner all scored half centuries. The star of the show, Ellyse Perry, posted her highest ODI score – 112 not out off 118 balls.
In the absence of captain Meg Lanning, Haynes led the side to a convincing victory which helped Australia to displace table-toppers England in the ICC Women’s ODI Championship.
However, heading into the final ODI of the series, the Australian batting order has hardly been tested. As a result, it will be interesting to see their progress if a few quick wickets fall at the start.
For the hosts, the series is a harsh learning experience. Without the likes of Shakera Selman, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, the side is lacking in many areas and the Aussies have been relentless on this inexperienced side.
The positives, however, came from the likes of Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond. The youngsters battled it out with scores of 22 and 31, respectively. Skipper Stafanie Taylor and Kyshona Knight, the two experienced batters, got the starts but could not capitalize.
The bowling department faced yet another brutal assignment with none of the bowlers being able to get the wickets of the imperious Perry and Gardner.
Australia will seek to finish the job before moving on to the T20Is. The West Indies, on the other hand, will aim to show character and grab a consolation win in the last ODI.
Sitting in the bottom of the ODI Championship table, an unlikely win will certainly make the home fans happy.
Key Players:
Alyssa Healy
The swashbuckling opener is in the form of her life. Scoring a sensational century in the first ODI and following it up with a typical free-flowing half century in the last game, the wicket-keeper batter will look to carry on her merry way. An intimidating presence at the crease, the West Indian bowlers will certainly have their hands full against Healy.
Stafanie Taylor:
The West Indies captain is the leading run-scorer for her side in this series. She will be hoping for a strong end to the ODI series as the team will be dependent on her for not only scoring the bulk of the runs but also picking up a few scalps with her off-spin. Having started her career way back in 2008, Taylor has faced many stiff challenges and she has powered her way to glory most of the time.
Conditions:
The action will continue at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound. The conditions are expected to be similar to the second ODI. Australia might fancy bowling first as they have already secured the series by batting first. The Windies will be hoping to set the target rather than chasing yet another challenging total. The match being a day game, the captains will look to bat first.
Squads:
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor (c), Reniece Boyce, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Stacy Ann King, Natasha McLean, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond.
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.
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