Australia’s campaign has gone much faster than anyone expected, and while this final group match against Oman won’t change their fate, it still matters. Pride, momentum and a chance to leave Sri Lanka with anything resembling control are all at stake in Pallekele on Friday evening.
Check out our preview and betting tips for the clash below and don’t forget to support our site and keep our content free by subscribing to one of our best sports betting sites.
T20 World Cup: Australia vs Oman Preview and Betting Tips
Pallekele, Saturday 21 February, 12.30pm AEDT
Australia
This tournament has exposed Australia’s vulnerability against quality play, but Oman do not have the same depth or control that they suffered from earlier this week. On paper, the Aussies still have a significant advantage in power and experience. The expectation will be for Travis Head to set the tone early, with Inglis and Green stabilizing through the middle before the final trio of Stoinis, David and Marsh let loose.
Adam Zampa looms large again with the ball. Pallekele has provided grip and spin throughout the tournament, and Zampa’s control in the middle overs has been one of the few consistent positives for Australia. Nathan Ellis and Bartlett should also get help with the new ball, especially if Oman feel the pressure on the scoreboard.
Oman
Oman showed flashes during the tournament, but could not sustain the pressure long enough against stronger opponents. Their best chance here is collective discipline. Jatinder Singh will have to anchor the innings and let hitters like Wasim Ali attack at the right times instead of chasing the match too early.
With the ball, Sufyan Mehmood and the Seams have to strike in the Powerplay. Australia’s top position looks tentative if the early wickets fall, and Oman will believe that if they can remove Head and Inglis cheaply, the match will be much more interesting. It is crucial to keep the middle overs on a surface that allows slower bowling.
Match prediction
Even despite the turbulence of this season, Australia remains an overwhelming favorite. Their batting depth alone should be enough to overwhelm Oman if any of the top four converts make a start. The concern for Australia was pace against spin, but Oman do not have the same class of players who dismantled them earlier in the group stages.
Expect Australia to play with more freedom knowing that qualification is no longer a factor. That change in mentality can often lead to cleaner hitting and sharper execution. Oman are capable of making it competitive for patches, especially if they take early wickets, but 20-plus overs should tell the skill gap. Back to Australia to finish with a professional victory and restore a modicum of confidence heading into the rebuilding effort that will inevitably follow. No value in the $1.01 price tag for the Aussies, but I do like the value of MORE THAN 6.5 runs in the first over.
Australia OVER 6.5 First over
$1.60
Player Prop
Marcus Stoinis looms as a strong Man of the Match performer as he has been Australia’s most effective bowler over the last two matches, taking three of their four wickets in that stretch while maintaining control when others struggled, and he also seemed to have good contact with the bat, hitting it cleanly and dealing with spin better than most of the top order; on a Pallekele surface that rewards smart variations and composure, his ability to influence the game in both disciplines makes him a true dual threat and excellent value to have the biggest overall impact.
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