AFG vs AUS Match Prediction: The Sportsrush present before you Match Prediction of 2019 World Cup Match 4 between AFG and AUS.
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We finally have our first day-night game of the Cricket World Cup 2019. The first day when we have two matches being played in the quadrennial event, Afghanistan and Australia will play against each other in Match 4 of the riveting tournament at Bristol.
It’s a clash which is bound to be a spectacle specially given that Australia are set to begin their campaign with the match. Touted as one of the favourites to go the distance and seal the glistening trophy under their arms at the end of the 48 matches, this resurgent side has overcome all the hardships of the past year. With its two main batters back among the ranks, Australia are now an effervescent side who can wipe out any side on their day.
Meanwhile, their rivals Afghanistan are not one to be taken too lightly. They’re coming on the back of defeating Pakistan in the warm-up fixtures, a result which was a testament to the fact that their world-class players are fearless in front of any side. They play a solid brand of cricket with a spin line-up at their disposal that can leave even the strongest of batting units in tatters.
AFG vs AUS – What numbers suggest?
A relatively new encounter, this clash will be only the third time these two sides square off against each other in the cricketing fraternity. Both the previous fixtures have been won by Australia with the two sides playing one fixture away from home.
One of those two fixtures include a clash at the CWC as well which Australia won.
AFG vs AUS – Key Battles
Mohammad Shahzad vs Jason Behrendorff
Two players feature in our first takeaway battle who’ve established themselves as the mainstays of their side. Occupying a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s batting unit, Shahzad at the top of the order is someone who has grown into his role as the pinch hitter perfectly.
In Jason Behrendorff though, he faces someone of a unique calibre. The pacer has only in his six matches for Australia taken centre stage in their pace battery, showing why he’s highly regarded with some absolute rippers. His ability to put down batsmen at will and keep hitting all the right area persistently have made him a real force to reckon with.
The two have never played against each other till date but their first encounter against each other promises to be one that will be contested competitively and friskily.
Rashid Khan vs Steven Smith
With Imran Tahir being deployed in the first over of the World Cup, the spinner went onto pick up Bairstow’s wicket right off his second ball as he caught a thick outside edge. It was a wicket that emphasized how colossal a role the wrist-spinners are going to play this World Cup and in Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have one of the finest in their unit.
Another player who deserves all the plaudits is Steve Smith, someone who has shaken of the rut he was in perfectly. One area though where he struggles in an otherwise perfect batting performance is when the spinners are deployed against him, something he was too prone to in the IPL as well.
With drift on the ball and the ball gripping off the surface to move away or into him, Smith is left perplexed on how to negotiate the delivery. He might struggle to get under the spinners on more than one occasion and although Rashid has never faced him in ODIs, he has troubled him more than enough in the IPL.
AFG vs AUS – Match Prediction
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With Steve Smith and David Warner back to bolster the ranks of the Australian batting line-up, the travesties the country underwent through the last year seemed to have vanished into thin air. This is suddenly an Australia side which can go the distance at the World Cup, having at their disposal a fine batting line-up which is intertwined perfectly with their bowling unit.
However, Afghanistan’s capabilities are not something which can be undermined either. They are known for their ability to step their game up at the biggest of stages and as they look to establish themselves on the grandest stage of all, expect them to put on a resolute front. Australia though should just be too strong for them and we see the Australian side getting past the line at the end easily.
