ICC World Twenty20, 30 April-16 May Venues: Guyana, St Lucia and Barbados Coverage:
Live Test Match Special commentary of selected matches on BBC 5 live sports extra and BBC Sport website (UK users only; some games also available on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave),
plus live text commentary on selected matches and reports on all matches on the BBC Sport website & mobiles
Australia will hope to avoid the early elimination they suffered in 2009
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Australia and South Africa will look to avoid any slip-ups when the final group games of the ICC World Twenty20 take place in Barbados on Wednesday. A win over Bangladesh in the first game (1800 BST) would put Australia through to the Super Eight phase with Pakistan. But a win for the Tigers would mean net run-rate would decide who progresses. The later game (2200 BST) is a straight contest between the Proteas and Afghanistan to see who goes through from Group C, along with India. With the weather having affected several games in the tournament so far, South Africa will know that a no result would see them go through on net run-rate. While Afghanistan battled bravely in their seven-wicket defeat by India on Saturday, it would take an upset of monumental proportions if a team who were in the fifth tier of international cricket two years ago were to beat the Proteas.
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606: DEBATE
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However, captain Graeme Smith may look to tinker with his line-up as pinch-hitter Loots Bosman failed to fire against India, while Smith himself looked unaccustomed to batting at number three rather than opening. Also, the slow Caribbean pitches were not suited to the South African seam attack, as Smith only handed one over to a spinner in their opening defeat - in contrast to several other games where spin has dominated. The Proteas also appointed former Test batsman Andrew Hudson as their new convenor of selectors on Tuesday, and he will take up his new role on 1 June. Earlier in the day, Australia will aim to banish memories of last year's World Twenty20 in England where they failed to make it through the group stages after defeats by West Indies and Sri Lanka, and earned themselves an unwanted fortnight's break in England before their ultimately unsuccessful Ashes defence. But they can take confidence from their 34-run win over Pakistan on Sunday, which saw pace pair Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait, both Twenty20 specialists, take three wickets apiece. All-rounder Shane Watson is also relishing the chance to bat with young left-hander David Warner - another short-form specialist - at the top of the order. "He goes at it from the first ball no matter what, and it does take a lot of the pressure off me, especially in the first couple of overs," Watson explained. "The way Dave bats makes it easier for me to find my way for the first few balls because I know he is going to be scoring very quickly. It's great to bat with him - hopefully, we can continue to get going and set a really good platform for the team."
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