Australia v Afghanistan T20 World Cup Tips: Warner to the fore as Aussies seek quick win

• Sides meet in their final group matches
• Aussies need massive win
• Warner backed to come to fore

Australia v Afghanistan
Friday 4 November, 08:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Team news

Aaron Finch and Tim David are doubts with fitness issues for this crucial match. Finch had just found form so it is unfortunate for him that he is struggling.

If one or the other is ruled out, Cameron Green is the most likely replacement. If both are out then Steve Smith is likely to come back with Green.

Possible XI: Warner, Green, M Marsh, Maxwell, Stoinis, Wade, Cummins, Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood

Afghanistan's campaign has been a damp squib. They've only got on the field twice and each time they may have wished they hadn't.

Azmatullah Omarzai is a waste as an all-rounder who has only bowled 3.1 overs. Extra batter Darwish Rasooli is an option. Rashid Khan is expected to be fit after an injury scare.

Probable XI: Gurbaz, Zazai, Ibrahim, Ghani, Najibullah, Nabi, Omarzai, Rashid, Mujeeb, Fareed, Farooqi

Pitch report

The fact that New Zealand v Ireland takes place before on the same strip is not good news for Australia. They surely want a glass-like surface to unleash their batting power. If they do bat first, rest assured they will be searching for 180 minimum. The intent is the key.

How to play

Australia need a massive win to try to bridge the net run rate gap between them and England, who will be expected to beat Sri Lanka. Frankly, they look doomed.

The bat-first toss bias may make Afghanistan a trade option at [9.40] but do bear in mind that the quick pitches are unlikely to suit them. That theory has not been disproved in their two outings.

Tops value

David Warner has a 41% win rate for top Aussie bat in the last two years so we'll take the boosted 11/4 with Sportsbook. Do be aware, though, that Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis could well be promoted even if Finch does play. They are 6/1 and 7/1 respectively.

Faz Farooqi has a very solid record on top bowler for Afghanistan, superior in fact to Rashid Khan. So Sportsbook's 7/2 is a gift.