CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 13 (ECC21.085) ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v AUSTRIA (AUT) 1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
ENG XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W L W W W W W (Avg Score For 128, Avg Score Against 91)
ENG XI Championship Week Timeline: W W L (Avg Score For 140, Avg Score Against 108)
AUT Group Stage Timeline: W W L W L W W W NR W L (Avg Score For 121, Avg Score Against 111)
AUT Championship Week Timeline: L W W (Avg Score For 139, Avg Score Against 132)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI)
Captain: Dan Lincoln
Wicketkeeper: Dan Lincoln, Alex Mellor
Projected Top Four: Dan Lincoln, Harrison Ward, Tom Bevan, Alex Mellor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zum Ahktar, Andy Rishton, Rich Edwards
Spin Options: Alex Russell, Sam Pearce, Max Uttley, Tom Bevan
Coach: Tom Lambert
ENGLAND XI Key Players:
Sam Pearce, Wales captain and bowling all-rounder, he represented Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer and Royal London One Day Cup. Pearce also led Wales to the semi-finals of the NCCA fifty-overs competition this summer. Joint top wicket taker in the tournament picking up 19 wickets including a best return of 3-19. Took ENG XI to a memorable win vs NED XI blasting 28 off 10 balls.
Alex Mellor, the most experienced player in the side at 31 and a former Warwickshire CCC player. Third highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 242 runs in 11 innings including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR in Week 3.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batter plays for Sussex CCC. Started off with a band but has gone cold in the last few games. He will look to finish on a high. Second highest scorer for ENG XI plundering 312 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 245. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
Alex Russell, hugely talented leg spinner,academy graduate at Gloucestershire CCC, second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 16 wickets including a best return of 3-4 vs GER.
Dan Lincoln, skipper, wicketkeeper and a former professional footballer with Reading FC, he has played for Glamorgan and Kent in the last two years in county cricket and brings experience to this young side. The right hander did not start well but has turned it around when it mattered with a blistering match winning century vs Italy in the Group C final. Top scorer for ENG XI with 356 runs in 13 games including an unbeaten 82 off 30 vs SPA on Monday.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 13 wickets in 12 games. Returned figures of 2-1 vs NED XI on Tuesday.
AUSTRIA (AUT)
Captain: Razmal Shigiwal
Wicketkeeper: Abrar Bilal
Projected Top Order: Iqbal Hossain, Bilal Zalmai, Razmal Shigiwal, Abrar Bilal, Mirza Ahsan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aqib Iqbal, Sahel Zadran
Spin Options: Sahel Zadran, Shahil Momin, Iqbal Hossain
Coach: Marcel Biersteker
AUSTRIA Key Players:
Razmal Shigiwal, hard hitting batter, started off Week 2 with a bang plundering 96 runs in just 28 balls including 11 HUGE maximos against Romania. Scored a valiant 78* off 31 vs BEL on Monday. Second highest scorer for Austria mustering 312 runs in 12 innings.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batter, highest scorer for AUT, hammered 340 runs in 13 innings including a blistering 64* off 29 balls vs HUN. Has bagged three player of the match awards.
Aqib Iqbal, young, energetic fast bowler, capable of swinging the ball in the air and off the deck, second highest wicket taker for AUT picking up 12 wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Shahil Momin, slow left arm orthodox, very talented, has a good cricketing brain and is a decent batsman as well. Bagged back-to-back man of the match awards for his all-round performances scoring a total of 81 runs and picking up three wickets in two games on Tuesday.
Bilal Zalmai, the hard hitting opening batter has been included in the Austria side for the Championship Week to boost the AUT batting. The all-rounder has amassed 618 runs at a SR of 206 and picked up 12 wickets in 22 ECS matches. Scored a crucial 43 off 18 balls vs Spain on Tuesday.
Austria enjoyed a good run on Tuesday beating NED XI comfortably and chased a mammoth total of 140 against hosts Spain. With momentum on their side, AUT can give England XI a run for their money.
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to edge a narrow win.
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