Watson heads both batting and bowling charts in this year`s World T20. He will yet again be the key for them if they have to progress to a second straight WT20 final.
Australia, in the last edition, won all games till the final but surrendered to England. This trophy is the only one which they haven`t secured. They are looking good this time but Gayle and his friends stand in the way in the penultimate hurdle.
If it is Watson at the top of the order for Australia, Gayle is in same red-hot form as an opener for the Caribbean side. If Gayle gets going, no bowling attack in the world can stop him.
These two teams were in the same pool (Group B) in the league phase. In that game, rain interrupted and Australia, while chasing, were ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis method and won.
If it is Watson versus Gayle at the top, one cannot discount the presence of the little man David Warner. He too can destroy bowlers in no time.
Apart from top three for Australia, involving Watson, Warner and Michael Hussey, there is concern over the middle order. They haven`t had enough match practice and it was evident when Pakistan spinners exposed them in their final Super Eight game on Sunday.
If the top three batsmen return to the pavilion early, Australian middle order will be under pressure in this big game.
The way Australia crumbled to spin at the same venue, is a huge boost for Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree. Narine will be getting ready to weave his magic.
West Indies batting too is a worry. Apart from Gayle, the rest are yet to be consistent. Marlon Samuels and Johnson Charles are the other two to aggregate more than 100 along with Gayle.
Australia`s left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc has been excellent. His incoming deliveries to the right-handers are the ones to watch out for. The pace of Pat Cummins and guile of veteran Brad Hogg will be on view.
The way Australia have played thus far, they appear to have advantage but in a T20 game you never know what is in store.
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