Australia eye a 2-0 finish West Indies v Australia 2nd Test Match Preview

Australia eye a 2-0 finish West Indies v Australia 2^nd Test Match Preview: After the mammoth victory in the first Test at Windsor Park, the visitors will look to finish the series on a winning note. Australia were in total command in the first game, where they won by 9 wickets. More than the margin of victory, the match was completed in less than 3 days. This shows that the home team had surrendered completely. Australia was far better and exposed the weakness of West Indian side in all three departments. However, they will be eager to make an impact when they face the dominant Aussies in the second and final Test at Jamaica.

The Kangaroos hardly put a foot wrong in the first Test. Fantastic century by the debutant, Voges followed by decent bowling and excellent fielding made sure they finished on the winning side. However both the teams have some issues to be sorted before they square off against each other at Jamaica. No other batsman, except Voges carried on and made any impact. Also, the Aussies couldn’t play the West Indian spinner, Bishoo. He was terrific in the first innings where he picked up 6 scalps. Clarke would want his batsmen to step up and score heavily in the second Test.

Only positives for the home team were Bishoo’s 6 wicket haul in the first innings and half centuries by Dowrich and Samules. The lack of experience in the middle order was well exploited. The veteran, Chanderpaul’s absence is felt. The West Indian captain, Ramdin will be expecting his batsmen to fire at Jamaica. Their batsmen were careless and most dismissals were due to the poor stroke play and Ramdin will be hoping that his batsmen make some useful contributions. If they fail, Australia will certainly be ready to deliver another thumping performance.

Date: 11 June, 2015

Venue: Jamaica

Weather: Moderate temperature expected. Also 10% chance of rain.

Teams:

Australia:

Australia was ruthless and aggressive in the first Test match and would want to carry on the same momentum before they start for England to play the Ashes. The unavailability of Rogers at the top opens the door for Marsh once again. The south paw will be looking to impress the selectors, ahead of the selection for the Ashes. The playing XI is expected to be the same as the previous match. The fast bowlers will enjoy bowling on the green wicket at Jamaica. The pitch is expected to slow down as the play progresses.

Probable Playing XI:

David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies:

Windies should also persist with the same XI as in the first game. The West Indian pace attack looked ordinary on the slow deck, but the pacers will look to come to the party at Jamaica. They would enjoy bowling on the green wicket that offers more bounce. Their middle order has to fire; if at all the home side wants to compete against the strong Aussies. It all boils down to how Samules’ plays. He is capable of playing a long innings and will want to make some impact in the second test.

Probable Playing XI:

Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shane Dowrich, Marlon Samuels, Jermaine Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin (c & wk), Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel.