ENG vs OMA Match Preview
England will need a win to at least still be in the hunt to qualify to the next round after a loss to Australia and rained out game against Scotland. Oman are guaranteed to be going home, but will want to take a win with them.
England's power-packed batting lineup will take all the headlines in contrast to Oman's batting which has really struggled. Jos Buttler is crucial to the England team as not only a brilliant wicket-keeper and leader, but can take the game away from any team single-handedly with the bat. He will want to take advantage of the powerplay to give England a solid platform. He would be a definite in your Dream11 team.
Jonny Bairstow would be key for any side. He adds brilliant fielding skills to a mighty impressive batting CV. The middle order batter averages 31 at a strike rate of 134,78 in T20Is in the West Indies. His explosive power in the middle overs could propel England to a winning total or see his team over the line in a run chase.
Phil Salt will want to impress like he did for England in their last T20I tour to the West Indies. The opener averaged 82.75 runs across his five games which included two centuries. He will want to play his role as one half of an opening batting combination with Jos Buttler that will strike fear into many bowling attacks worldwide.
Bowling-wise, Adil Rashid is a world-class spinner. The leg-spinner has taken 22 T20I wickets in the West Indies. This is his highest number of T20I wickets in any nation outside of England so expect him to produce the goods against Oman.
If any Omani player is to make your dream11 team, Mehran Khan would be worth the pick. The all-rounder has picked up six wickets, which is double that of Bilal Khan who stands as the*second-highest wicket-taker for Oman in the tournament. Although he hasn't fully shown his potential with the bat yet, he can produce a handy cameo down the order.
Weather Report
No rain is forecast in Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday. The captain to win the toss may want to bowl first. Both teams are expected to face similar hot and humid conditions throughout the game.
Pitch Report
This will be only the third game of the tournament on this pitch. It wouldn't be expected to break up too much. The side batting first will need to score big to be competitive.
So far both first innings scores at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium - 150 for seven and 72 all out - have been chased down with ease. Both chases have come with run rates over 11 runs per over. Teams may need to score above 200 runs if they are to post a winning total.
Notable stats
Salt in form
Salt averages 53,50 at a strike rate of almost 185 in T20Is hosted by the West Indies. He has two centuries and one half-century to add to these incredible stats.
Team News
England have played the same starting lineup for two consecutive games. If they do make any changes, they may want to include all-rounder Sam Curran for Chris Jordan. This would extend the batting lineup in a bid to massively improve their net run rate. Oman may make a change to give their wider squad T20 World Cup experience before heading home. Seamer Fayyaz Butt is the only Oman player not to have played at the tournament yet.
ENG vs OMA Probable 11
ENG Playing 11
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (C)
- Will Jacks
- Jonny Bairstow
- Moeen Ali
- Harry Brook
- Liam Livingstone
- Chris Jordan
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
OMA Playing 11
- Kashyap Prajapati
- Pratik Athavale (Wk)
- Aqib Ilyas (C)
- Zeeshan Maqsood
- Khalid Kail
- Ayaan Khan
- Shoaib Khan
- Mehran Khan
- Shakeel Ahmed
- Kaleemullah
- Bilal Khan
Dream11 Prediction
England shouldn't have much trouble in avoiding an upset against Oman here. England's batting and bowling resources are significantly superior.
Top Picks
Phil Salt: The England star has hit two T20I centuries in the West Indies and is well worth naming in your Dream11 team selection for this match.
Mehran Khan: The Oman seamer has been in outstanding form lately - so much so that he is worth selecting ahead of an England seamer.
Moeen Ali: As one of the leading all-rounders in the tournament, and particularly valuable with the ball, the England talisman is worth your investment.
ENG vs OMA Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (C)
Batters: Aqib Ilyas
All-rounders: Will Jacks, Mehran Khan, Moeen Ali
Bowlers: Bilal Khan, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer , Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
