Australia to be unchanged for second World Cup match with West Indies

Australia are set to go unchanged in to their second World Cup fixture against a dangerous and free-scoring West Indies, meaning Nathan Coulter-Nile will retain the final fast-bowling spot.

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Nathan Coulter-Nile is set to hold on to the last place in the World Cup team with Australia confident its winning line-up can handle the West Indies’ “fireworks” in Nottingham on Thursday night.

While coach Justin Langer was yet to inspect the Trent Bridge wicket, he said an unchanged team was likely despite considering a bowling change.

West Indies’ raft of left-handers make Nathan Lyon a shout but Nathan Coulter-Nile is poised instead to hold on to his place in the side.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is an obvious match-up for the Windies’ left-handed batsmen while left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff has dismissed Chris Gayle in all three T20 games they’ve played against each other.

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The stage is set for a contest as unnerving as Trent Bridge’s surrounding suburbs with both attacks poised to unleash plenty of bumpers.

“We talked this morning about how we’ve spent four months thinking and playing against spin bowling,” Langer said.

Coulter-Nile is also capable of providing valuable lower order runs.

“Our focus has almost solely been on playing spin bowling. Now we have to change.

“We have to adapt our game plan and adapt pretty quickly to face the West Indies, who have got a number of good, fast bowlers. “

Australia’s past 25 ODIs have been against sub-continent teams who have loaded up with spinners.

“Our blokes have spoken about that and they’ll be ready for it. We got a little taste of (Andre Russell) in Hampshire (in last month’s practice match).”

A Russell bouncer hospitalised Usman Khawaja, although scans cleared the top-order batsman was cleared of a broken jaw.

Langer said Coulter-Nile was “getting better with every game”.

Australia’s last visit to Trent Bridge saw it concede a world record 481 runs against England.

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“I remember walking down to the gate at the end almost wanting to give all the boys a hug because it was brutal,” Langer said of last year’s visit.

“After Cardiff I did (gave them a spray). I had a red hot dip with the boys — that will become legendary in ten years’ time.

West Indies’s big-hitters will be a challenge to all of Australia’s bowlers.

“But not in this one. We had a young bowling attack and the last thing they needed was another smack when they’d been smacked for three and a half hours.”

While Lyon was considered, Australia is set to instead give Glenn Maxwell his first bowl of the World Cup in addition to attacking legspinner Adam Zampa.

David Warner’s unbeaten 89 against Afghanistan came despite the opener failing to middle many balls and without much feet movement.

“That’s a good sign for me,” Langer said.

“You can see the look in his eyes. It’s not as if he batted badly. He just wasn’t as dynamic as you’ve seen in the past.

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“And all talk has been for the last 12 months about Dave, how is he going to fit back in the team. He could not have played a better team innings than the other day. His energy in the field was brilliant.”

The West Indies clash starts a tricky stretch for the Aussies with four World Cup games in 10 days. They boast a 73-60 head-to-head record against the West Indies.

Originally published as Australia to be unchanged for second World Cup match with West Indies