Australia vs West Indies Preview: Holder's men primed to test might of the Aussies

Australia will know what is coming ahead of their match against the West Indies

Riding on confidence after their emphatic win over Afghanistan, Australia will face an uphill task as they meet a buoyant West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Both teams were at their dominant best in their opening World Cup matches and literally thrashed their opponents.

Aaron Finch-led Australia had registered a convincing seven-wicket win over Afghanistan. The bowlers, especially their pace attack, were on song as they restricted Afghanistan to just 207.

While chasing, Finch and David Warner showed signs of being in great form as both scored half-centuries and rang alarm bells for opposing sides.

On the other hand, Windies had demolished the Pakistani batting line-up with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries and ultimately bowled them out for a mere 105 in their opening encounter in the ongoing World Cup. Oshane Thomas had finished with 4-27, while captain Jason Holder and Andre Russell shared five wickets between them before the Windies clinched a seven-wicket win over Pakistan.

Australia are wary of the fact that the Windies line-up boast some of the biggest hitters in world cricket at the moment and it would realy require some effort from the Australian attack to control the likes of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Carlos Braithwaite.

Australia are likely to field the same XI that took on Afghanistan, but will have to adjust to how they take on the West Indies quicks, and other fast bowlers in the tournament. WATCH OUT FOR - Steve Smith

Steve Smith watched on as David Warner had his time to shine against Afghanistan

After watching David Warner have the opportunity to begin his international cricket redemption, Steve Smith's fire will have been stoked and will be looking for his chance after missing out at Bristol. Smith has been in exquisite touch of late, and there is no attack in the world that strikes fear into him. Expect bulk runs from the former Aussie skipper.

PREDICTION Australia must overcome their bogey ground, where the last time they played England belted 481, the same venue that Australia was famously bowled out for 60 in the last Ashes series played in the UK. For this match however, it will take more than a venue hoodoo for the Australian’s to falter against the West Indies. Expect one of the best games of the tournament so far, with some brilliant batting and some aggressive bowling from both sides.

Australia to win by 20-40 runs or 3-4 wickets. STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 139 West Indies: 60

Australia: 73

Tied: 3

N/R: 3

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS

Matches: 9 West Indies: 5

Australia: 4

WORLD CUP RECORDS

West Indies

Matches: 72

Won: 42

Lost: 29

Best Result- Winners (1975, 1979)

Australia

Matches: 85

Won: 63

Lost: 20

Tie: 1

Best Result - Winners (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015:

West Indies

Matches: 68

Won: 20 Lost: 43

Australia

Matches: 77

Won: 38 Lost: 36