Zimbabwe vs Australia: 6th T20I, Preview- Australia aim to finish atop the points table ahead of grand finale

The Yellow Army is currently placed on the second spot in the tri-series points table.

Published - 05 Jul 2018, 22:32 IST | Updated - 05 Jul 2018, 22:32 IST

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Australia, after a couple of resounding victories, were neutralized by Pakistan in their erstwhile match. On both of their first two victories, Aaron Finch contributed significantly and took his team home. However, he floundered versus the Men in Green and the onus was on the rest of the batters to step up and track down the daunting target of 195, which they eventually couldn’t.

The Aussies have already booked themselves a berth in the Final, but they have incentives to garner even from the last match tomorrow against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The Yellow Army is currently placed on the second spot and needs one victory to top the points table. The hosts have lost all their matches and Finch’s men are most likely to turn them over.

Zimbabwe showed some fight in their last encounter against Sarfraz Ahmed’s men on Wednesday. Solomon Mire gave the audience something to cheer about but was unlucky to miss out on accomplishing the milestone of being the first player from the nation with a T20I century.

Toss: Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to bat

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Cephas Zhuwao, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Tarisai Musakanda, Peter Moor(w), Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Donald Tiripano, Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), Alex Carey(w), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Jack Wildermuth, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake

Debut: Jack Wildermuth. OUT: D’Arcy Short

Team Combination

Zimbabwe

The home team, following their strong show, won’t want to tinker with their combination. Hamilton Masakadza, their captain, has been a disappointment with the willow and he would be keen to find some form. Solomon Mire would also want to replicate his touch versus the Aussies. The bowlers were pretty impressive last time, however, keeping the Australian batsmen quite is expected to be a tough ask.

Australia

The team management is likely to bring forth a couple of changes. Alex Carey may open with Finch and D’Arcy Short may have to sit out. Leg-break bowler Mitchell Swepson may replace Short in order to bring variety into the bowling department. Most importantly, their middle order needs to step up and get some runs under their belt before they take on the Men in Green on Sunday.

Players to watch out for

Elton Chigumbura- Zimbabwe

He is one of his team’s more experienced players, however, he hasn’t been able to deliver the goods for his side. The all-rounder has scored 26 runs in three matches at an average of 13 that doesn’t showcase the potential he has got. In the final match, Chigumbura would want to contribute and help Zimbabwe compete hard against the might of Finch’s troops.

Glenn Maxwell- Australia

Maxwell’s performance has been under the scanner of the selectors for quite a while now. In the ongoing series, he has picked up a couple of wickets but hasn’t done anything of sorts with the willow. His last significant performance was quite a while ago and the Victorian would be desperate to gain back his touch.