Predicting Australia’s playing XI vs Afghanistan in ODI World Cup 2023

The tournament is approaching the business end and every match has a lot at stake for teams who are vying for a spot in the semi-finals. The Australian team has made a great comeback by winning five matches on the bounce after two initial losses. Now they look like proper contenders to lift the title. They will be taking on the Afghan challenge at the Wankhede stadium to consolidate their position in the top four.

Predicting Australia’s playing XI against Afghanistan:

Top Order

Australia has been heavily reliant on their openers in this tournament, particularly on their openers. Now that Mitchell Marsh has gone back to Australia, Travis Head will have to take the responsibility. He did well against New Zealand, the very first match that he played in this tournament. Along with him, David Warner would be eager to continue his run-scoring form. He has been one of the most consistent batters in this World Cup. 

Steve Smith will be looking to get back in form before the semi-finals as a lot will depend on this batsman. His form would provide a lot of solidity to this Australian batting order. 

Middle Order

Things have got interesting for Australia after a freak injury to Glenn Maxwell. It will be interesting to see if he comes back in the next match or not. If Maxwell is fit then he will find his place in this middle order instantly. But if he is not fit then Australia would be going with the same composition that they played against England. Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stonis will have the responsibility to operate in the middle order. Labuschagne along with Green and Stoinis played crucial knocks and the Aussie fans would be expecting the same from them Against Afghanistan. 

Bowling Unit

Australia’s bowling unit has come into the groove which is very instrumental for them going into the semi-finals. The pace trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood is doing the job for them and this will be another chance for them to show their mettle. 

Adam Zampa has the most number of wickets in this tournament and he will be important for Australia in this match.

Also read: Predicting Sri Lanka’s playing XI vs Bangladesh in ODI World Cup 2023