Australia’s campaign has unravelled far quicker than anyone expected, and while this final group game against Oman won’t change their fate, it still matters. Pride, momentum and a chance to leave Sri Lanka with something resembling control are all on the line in Pallekele on Friday night.
Check out our preview and betting tips for the clash below and remember to support our site and help to keep our content free by signing up to one of our best sports betting sites.
T20 World Cup: Australia vs Oman Preview & Betting Tips
Pallekele, Saturday 21st February, 12:30am AEDT
Australia
This tournament has exposed Australia’s vulnerability against quality spin, but Oman do not possess the same depth or control that troubled them earlier in the week. On paper, the Aussies still hold a significant edge in power and experience. The expectation will be that Travis Head sets the tone early, with Inglis and Green stabilising through the middle before the finishing trio of Stoinis, David and Marsh unleash late.
With the ball, Adam Zampa looms large again. Pallekele has offered grip and turn throughout the tournament, and Zampa’s control through the middle overs has been one of the few consistent positives for Australia. Nathan Ellis and Bartlett should enjoy assistance with the new ball as well, particularly if Oman feel scoreboard pressure.
Oman
Oman have shown flashes across the tournament but haven’t been able to sustain pressure for long enough against stronger opponents. Their best chance here is collective discipline. Jatinder Singh will need to anchor the innings and allow hitters like Wasim Ali to attack at the right moments rather than chasing the game too early.
With the ball, Sufyan Mehmood and the seamers must strike inside the Powerplay. Australia’s top order has looked tentative when early wickets fall, and Oman will believe that if they can remove Head and Inglis cheaply, the match becomes far more interesting. Containing the middle overs on a surface that assists slower bowling will be critical to keeping things tight.
Match Prediction
Even with the turbulence of this campaign, Australia remain overwhelming favourites. Their batting depth alone should be enough to overwhelm Oman if one of the top four converts a start. The concern for Australia has been tempo against spin, but Oman do not have the same class of operators that dismantled them earlier in the group stage.
Expect Australia to play with greater freedom knowing qualification is no longer in the equation. That mindset shift can often unlock cleaner hitting and sharper execution. Oman are capable of making it competitive for patches, especially if they grab early wickets, but over 20 overs the skill gap should tell. Back Australia to sign off with a professional win and restore a touch of confidence heading into the rebuild that will inevitably follow. No value in the $1.01 pricetag on the Aussies, but I do like the value on OVER 6.5 runs in the first over.
Australia OVER 6.5 Runs first over
$1.60
Player Prop
Marcus Stoinis looms as a strong Man of the Match play given he’s been Australia’s most effective bowler across the last two games, taking three of their four wickets in that stretch while maintaining control when others have struggled, and he’s also looked in good touch with the bat, striking it cleanly and handling spin better than most of the top order; on a Pallekele surface that rewards smart variations and composure, his ability to influence the game in both disciplines makes him a genuine dual-threat and excellent value to have the biggest overall impact.
