We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Australia vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI
1st innings average score: 221
2nd innings average score: 222
Type: Pacers rule the roost in the first innings. Batting gets easier in the second innings.
Time: August 31, 5:10 AM IST
Probable Playing XI for Australia & Zimbabwe
Probable XI for Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar/Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Probable XI for Zimbabwe: Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Tony Munyonga, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (c & wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi/Blessing Muzarabani
Game Changers
Ryan Burl has been raising his stakes in online fantasy cricket with his all-round skills. His batting may have let his team down, but he made amends with his leg-breaks by bagging three wickets.
Four of Cameron Green’s five wickets came within two overs. He used the extra bounce to his advantage and rattled the opposition batters. In Mitchell Marsh’s absence, not only will he get more overs to bowl but also get to bat at No.7. He averages 39 with the bat in List A cricket.
All Wesly Madhevere did was rotate the strike: only 16 of his 72 runs came in boundaries. Although he bowled only one over, we might often see his off-breaks being used in bits and pieces. He is a man of many talents, able to perform in any given position and situation.
Smart Fantasy Picks
The ever-improving Regis Chakabva played a confident innings of 31 off 33, repaying the faith fantasy players show in him. In 2022, he has scored three thirties, a fifty, and a hundred in 12 games. And there’s always the extra points he provides with the glovework.
Zimbabwe’s struggle against wrist spinners continues. Adam Zampa nicely tossed up the ball, luring the batters to go after him. The result was a three-wicket haul. In his last 10 ODIs, he has bagged 21 wickets.
The advantage of picking Tadiwanashe Marumani in fantasy teams is his will to bat longer, for which he is equipped with a decent technique. He looked at ease on the bouncier pitch of Townsville.
Although Josh Hazlewood finished his quota wicketless, the conditions favour his style of bowling, especially in the powerplay. On the other hand, Mitchell Starc took the mandatory wicket at the death. The duo keeps fantasy players in the hunt at both the start and end of the innings.
Also Read:
India vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2022: Top Fantasy Tips
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022: Top Fantasy Picks
How to choose a captain for your fantasy team
Fantasy Power Picks
David Warner lived a charmed life. There wasn’t the usual flow to be seen, but his 57 off 66 kept the fantasy players happy. In his last five ODIs, he has scored two fifties and a thirty.
Sikandar Raza’s only joyous moment was the prized wicket of Warner. In the first innings, he had played 24 deliveries to find his feet but could manage a mere 5 runs. Kudos to his efforts, although they did not generate the desired result. After all, he has been Zimbabwe’s best ODI player in 2022: three hundreds and 7 wickets in 10 ODIs.
Steven Smith looked in great control in conditions that helped the pacers throughout the game, managing 48* off 80 including six fours. Since 2020, he has scored three hundreds and two fifties in 13 ODIs, including only one single-digit score.
Fantasy Tip of The Day
Australia are more likely to pick all 10 wickets and hence drafting more of their bowlers in fantasy teams would be beneficial. As far as batters are concerned, pick those who can bat longer.