West Indies vs Australia 1st ODI Preview & Betting Tips

It was a horror show for the Australians in the T20 series as they were thrashed 4-1 by the West Indies. The Aussies will be looking for a change in fortunes when the first ODI begins on Wednesday morning, in a format that they will be more comfortable in. For the West Indies, they’ll be looking to rise up from the lowly rank of 8th in ODI cricket, as they look to find their best squad heading into the 2023 World Cup. We’ve got you covered with a full preview and tips heading into the first ODI! 

West Indies vs Australia 1st ODI Betting Tips

Kensington Oval, Wednesday July 21st, 4:30am AEST 

West Indies Squad: Kieron Pollard (C), Shai Hope (VC), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Anderson Philip, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd 

Australia Squad: Aaron Finch (C), Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Agar, Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Dan Christian, Riley Meredith, Ashton Turner, Jason Behrendorff. 

Match Prediction

Despite the poor result in the T20 series, Australia should be much more confident heading into the ODI series. Australia (3rd ranked ODI side in the world) have won their last two ODI series against number two ranked England, and number four ranked India. The West Indies won their last ODI series against Sri Lanka, but lost six consecutive matches heading into that series. Although they are a giant in the T20 format, it’s simply unsustainable to maintain that style in 50 over cricket, and they’ve got significantly less star power in their ODI ranks. 

Andre Russell, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh and Obed McCoy all won’t feature in the one squad after being in the T20 squad. For Australia, there could be an abundance of ODI debutants given the squad was mainly selected in preparation for the T20 World Cup, with Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe and Riley Meredith a chance to make their debut.

The make up of Australia’s batting order will be fascinating given Aaron Finch is in doubt to play with a knee injury. If Finch is to miss, it will likely be a choice between Alex Carey and Josh Philippe to partner Matthew Wade at the top of the order.  

Despite a slightly inexperienced batting lineup, Australia still have a world class bowling attack with Josh Hazlewood (7th), Adam Zampa (15th) and Mitchell Starc (18th) all ranked inside the top 20 ODI bowlers in the world. With Hazlewood in particular, set to benefit from the shift to the one day format, with the 50 over game giving him a better opportunity to set up batsmen without being targeted. 

Adam Zampa went a combined 0/93 from ten overs in the first three games of the T20 series, before bouncing back with figures of 2/20 and 2/30 in the final two games. Spin played a big role in the West Indies series victory over Sri Lanka, with the top two wicket takers being spinners in Jason Mohammed and Akeal Hosein who both went at economy rates of below 4.50. Zampa has got his mojo back, and will have a huge say in this series. 

Despite the likes of Smith, Maxwell and Stoinis absent, the Australians still have a strong middle order with the in-form Mitch Marsh, Moises Henriques having strong domestic 50 over campaigns last summer. The two will provide crucial experience to the batting order, and important balance, with both players being able to bat to the situation of a match.   

The Windies have struggled in 50 over cricket, losing four of their seven series post the 2019 World Cup, with their three series wins coming against Afghanistan, Ireland and Sri Lanka. Australia have had a much better run of form in one day cricket, winning five of their last seven ODI’s. Although this Australian side isn’t at full strength, it poses a much larger threat than any of those teams. The West Indies side lacks balance with the bat, which is so crucial in ODI cricket and Australia’s bowling attack is going to be too strong for them.  

West Indies Prop

Shai Hope has had an outstanding career so far in the one day arena, scoring 3457 runs at an average of 53. Hope was the standout batsmen in the Windies series win against Sri Lanka back in March, with 258 runs at an average of 82, with two fifties and a hundred in the three match series. Hope will be full of confidence coming up against the Australians, after top scoring with 68 against them in the 2019 World Cup, the last time these sides faced off in an ODI. Hope is the number seventh ranked batsmen in ODI cricket, and will be crucial to the West Indies chances in this series. Hope will have a big role to play in this series, and will be eager to start off with a big knock. 

Australia Prop

Adam Zampa returned to form at the back end of the T20 series, and has been Australia’s most important white ball bowler in the last two years. Zampa has been the leading wicket taker in Australia’s last two ODI series with seven wickets at an average of 23, with an economy of 5.36 against India. And 10 wickets at an average of 14, with an economy of 4.36 against England. The pitches in the Caribbean have catered to spinners in white ball cricket, and with Zampa getting more protection with fielding restrictions in 50 over cricket, he will be set for a big series. Zampa is in form, and an excellent option as Australia’s leading wicket taker in game one.