Australia leave this World Cup with a sense of what might have been. A good win over Ireland was followed by defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, who went through to the Super 8. Slow pitches have unsettled the batters, with the middle order struggling most to adapt.
There is plenty of talent in the squad. Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis offer experience, while Cameron Green and Tim David can change a game in a few overs. Head and Marsh put on 104 in 8.4 overs against Sri Lanka, and Australia will want a similar powerplay here before Oman’s spinners settle. Marcus Stoinis adds finishing depth, and Matt Renshaw or Steven Smith could be considered, having been in good touch.
Bowling is the bigger worry. With Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins injured, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Cooper Connolly are expected to share the work with Stoinis, with Adam Zampa the key spinner in the middle overs.
Oman have struggled, with three heavy defeats. Captain Jatinder Singh, who scored 132 runs in four games at the Asia & EAP qualifier, carries much of the batting load, with Aamir Kaleem showing promise and Hammad Mirza and Vinayak Shukla capable of 20–30. Most of their bowlers have conceded over ten an over, though Shakeel Ahmed has three wickets.
