Australia -Windies should be a cracker

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from England

Three games are down for decision on Saturday between Scotland and New Zealand, Australia playing West Indies and Bangladesh clashing with India in the ICC World Cup Twenty20 tournament.

Scotland meet New Zealand at 10 a.m BST (2.30 p.m Sri Lanka time). Australia v West Indies 13.30 BST p.m.- 6 p.m. SL time and Bangladesh - India 17.30 BST (7 p.m SL time).

Scotland and New Zealand are in Group D.Austrtalia and Wesrt Indies in Group C and Bangladesh and India in Group A.

The first two games will be played at the Kennington Oval and the third game at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

The best clash will undoubtedly be the one between Australia and the cricketers from the Caribbean. The teams are led by two of the best batting stars in the game today, Ricky Ponting and Chrys Gayle.

Both have the ability to bash any attack and how they go could have a baring as to the outcome of the game. Ponting is more of a stylist while Gayle is power and big hitting. The difference between the two as captains is that Ponting is a clever thinker and motivator, while Gayle waits for thinks to happen.

As for the Australians they play as a team and every individual supports the captain.

The Windies in comparison are brilliant indivudals, but rarely play as a unit. So a close analysis will show that the kangaroos are way ahead - baring the glorious uncertainties of the game.

As for Ponting’s men, batting first or second would not matter. They have a well drilled team and whatever the situation are well equipped to deliver the knockout punch.

Australia who are the holders of the 50 over World Cup and the Champions trophy.

Will be thirsting to engrave their name in this trophy too and there is no reason why they should not. In the previous tournament in South Africa, the Aussies lost in the semis. They will forget that setback as they attempt to grab the trophy this time.

To add muscle to the Aussie batting is the skipper, David Warriner, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, David and Michael Hussey and Shane Watson.

Left arm seamer Nathan Bracken will spearhead the Aussie attack with support from Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, James Hopes and probably off spinner Nathan Hauritz if he plays.

Windies will look to Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin for runs and the bowling will be in the hands of Jerome Taylor, Bravo, Darren Samy and Fidel Edwards. The Windies could probably go in with spinner Sulieman Benn.

The teams will look to field brilliantly. My money is on Australia. Lord”s, London, Friday