ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Australia - Match Preview, Predicted XI, Pitch, Prediction, Weather, Stats

Afghanistan and Australia will lock horns with each other in the third match of the ICC World Cup 2019 at County Ground, Bristol. Both teams will want to get off to a winning start and would like to bring their best to the table. Meanwhile, Australia has peaked its form at the right time. In fact, six months ago, Australia was nowhere close to being the World Cup favourites. However, they have turned the tables at the right time and would like to get off to a fine start. We take a look at Match Preview, Predicted XI, Pitch, Prediction, Weather, Stats.

Read  More: ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Australia – Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI, Analysis

Meanwhile, David Warner is declared fit for the opening contest and the southpaw batsman will open the innings for Australia. Thus, it is a big boost for Australia ahead of their first match. Furthermore, Steven Smith is in red hot form as the talisman batsman had scored a fine hundred in the warm-up match against arch-rivals England. Hence, Smith will like to continue his good form going.

Both teams will like to get off to a winning start.

Australia has found their form and they have the experience of winning big matches. The Aussies can never be taken lightly and they have shown in the last four months that why they are the powerhouse. Australia had won the ODI series against India by 3-2 and whitewashed Pakistan by 5-0 in their last bilateral series.

Furthermore, it would be interesting to note how Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will bowl in this World Cup. Both of these gun fast bowlers haven’t played a lot of white ball format in the recent past and their performance is going to hold the key.

On the other hand, Afghanistan has taken massive strides in the cricket world. They will like to start on a high and can take confidence from their three wickets win over Pakistan in the warm-up match. However, their fast bowling can be their Achilles Heel and it would be interesting to note their performance. The onus will be on their spin battery of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammed Nabi.

Australia is going to start as favourites.

In fact, there is no doubt that Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi are going to hold the key for Afghanistan. They have been instrumental in the success of the team and would like to bring their best in the ODI showpiece.