PTI
Brisbane, February 20
Favourites Australia will look to go all guns blazing as they meet Bangladesh in a Pool A match of the cricket World Cup here tomorrow, with the threat of a washout looming large due to the Tropical Cyclone Marcia. Co-hosts Australia kicked off their campaign in style, defeating old enemies England by a comfortable margin of 111 runs, while Bangladesh managed to win their tournament opener after a few hiccups against spirited debutantes Afghanistan.
However, going into tomorrow’s match, four-time winners Australia, looking for their fifth world title, start as clear favourites against the Asian outfit that debuted in the World Cup in 1999.
The good news for the hosts is that skipper Michael Clarke will play in the game having missed the England match after failing to shake-off the lingering after-effects of his long-term hamstring problems.
“This was the plan for Michael all along, for him to be right for this game,” said wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
What could, however, come in Australia’s way is the extreme weather situation in the state.
The Gabba ground is readying itself for the cyclone to make its forecast way down the Queensland coast.
In a worrying build-up, the Australian team has been forced to hold training sessions indoors while the storm has left the four-time world champions scratching their heads over the potential make-up of their team.
“All the weather has done has delayed the naming of the team,” Haddin said.
“We are not sure what we are going to get when we pull the covers up,” he added.
As far as the bowling attack is concerned, there are speculations that Pat Cummins could join Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson.
Stand-in skipper George Bailey is expected to make way for Clarke despite calls for all-rounder Shane Watson to be dropped after his first ball duck in the win over England.
