Ground Reality: Situated South of Sandton in Illovo, Wanderers nicknamed ‘The Bullring’ is the home of the Highveld Lions. Host of the 2003 cricket world cup finals, this ground goes down in history as the host of one of the greatest ODI matches when South Africa chased down a colossal target of 434 runs set by Australia. The Wanderers, which has a seating capacity of 34,000, also hosted the first match and the finals of the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup.
Pitch Conditions: The game last group-A match between Pakistan and West Indies saw the ball dominating the bat. With an even cover of grass, the bowlers can expect some pronounced seam movement and good bounce. If the batsmen get in, they should make it count. It would be difficult for the new batsmen to play their strokes straightaway.
Temperature: Min-12c Max-26c Conditions: Mostly sunny.
Team updates:
Australia: The defending champions kick off their campaign with an easy game against the West Indies. Coming on the back of a resounding series win over England, the Aussies will be high on confidence and will be looking to build some momentum ahead of the crucial game against India on Monday. However they will be without the services of Nathan Bracken, who has been ruled out due to a knee injury, and Micheal Clarke who will be rested, after he complained of a sore back on the way to Johanessburg from London.
West Indies: After being outplayed by Pakistan in their first match, the Windies will be looking to bounce back with a better batting performance. The batsmen were all at sea in the bowler friendly conditions at the Wanderers, and should make some technical adjustments to cope up with the pace and bounce of the wicket. However their bowling was impressive, with Gavin Tsonge showing the way, picking up a 4 wickets on conditions tailor-made for swing bowling. Nikita Miller was the shining light with the bat, and he will looking for some support from Andre Fletcher and the more experienced Devon Smith, if they are to compete against the mighty Aussies.
Numbers game:
2: The number of matches these two teams have played each other in the Champions trophy, since its inception. Both the meetings were in the previous edition of the Champions Trophy held in India in 2006.
Sound Bytes:
Ricky Ponting: The West Indies will get the respect they deserve from us. There is nothing we can do about the contractual dispute.
Gavin Tsonge: I hope I can roll that wicket at the Wanderers and carry it wherever I go.
Teams:
Australia (From): Shane Watson, Tim Paine(w), Ricky Ponting(c), Mike Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Cameron White, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges, Ben Hilfenhaus
West Indies (From): Dale Richards, Andre Fletcher, Devon Smith, Travis Dowlin, Floyd Reifer(c), David Bernard, Darren Sammy, Chadwick Walton(w), Nikita Miller, Tino Best, Gavin Tonge, Royston Crandon, Kemar Roach, Kieran Powell, Kevin McClean
