‘Hurstville-sized’: Run fest tipped by Aussies

Australia are expecting absolute carnage when some of the game’s biggest hitters are let loose on a postage stamp-sized ground in a World Cup warm-up match on England’s south coast tonight (7.30pm AEST).

Glenn Maxwell's enduring memory of the Ageas Bowl's Nursery Ground is of a Hampshire coach storming onto the field after the allrounder nicked one behind and didn't walk, but Australian and West Indian bowlers might have even bigger nightmares during Wednesday's practice game.

The clash, an unofficial fixture organised to give both teams extra match practice ahead of the official ICC warm-up games later this week, has power-hitting royalty Maxwell, David Warner, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell licking their lips at the short boundaries.

Image Id: AD233369BCE844D6A6DABFA3CDC589FE Image Caption: The Nursery Ground // @jeremyarnold_ (Twitter)

Former Sydney Thunder star Russell, back in the Windies' squad after a dominant Indian Premier League campaign, put on a breathtaking six-hitting clinic during training at the ground on Tuesday afternoon, sending countless balls into trees and the adjacent golf course.

"You couldn't ask for a better opponent to play against (than) Australia," Gayle told cricket.com.au. "One of the best bowling attacks in world cricket right now, so you can see where you're at as a batter.

"It's good for all us as batters to go up against them because eventually we're going to see them in the tournament as well. It's a bit of tit for tat for both teams."

In terms of dimensions, Maxwell says the Southampton ground's closest direct Australian comparison is Hurstville Oval, the club ground in Sydney's southern suburbs that has become renowned for enormous totals in domestic 50-over games.

Two of the four List A double-tons scored in Australia were recorded at that venue, including D'Arcy Short's 148-ball 257 last year and Travis Head's 120-ball 202 in 2015.

"There's been some big scores at Hurstville and I think we might see another one tomorrow,” Maxwell said.

Mitchell Starc has said he expects mid-week golfers to be forced to take cover when strolling the 17th fairway that runs next to the ground.

Maxwell, a British passport holder, knows the venue well after stints with local side Hampshire in 2012 and 2014, but his first exposure to the county – playing for club side South Wilts against Hampshire's Academy team – was somewhat controversial.

"I went out to open the batting, first ball nicked one, caught by the keeper, umpire gave me not out and the Hampshire Academy coach came steaming on the ground losing his mind," Maxwell recalled. "I was about to play (county) second XI with this team as well.

"I was like, 'This is not a great first impression’. I didn’t get too many (runs) after that so it wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t a great first impression at the club.

"But I had great times here and Hampshire gave me an opportunity when I was really young. I was only 23 here and hadn’t played a whole lot for Victoria and it was my way of getting into the Australian side.

"I owe Hampshire a lot, they gave me an opportunity when they didn’t have to. I was over here by luck and played a bit of club cricket and second XI with them, and luckily enough played a few T20 games."

Australia's three practice games are set to play an important role in helping coach Justin Langer settle on his best XI for their World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1. 

The returns of David Warner and Steve Smith has created a squeeze for top-order spots, while a decision will also have to be made on whether three specialist pacemen or two spinners provide a better balance for local conditions.

How skipper Aaron Finch plans to use ace quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also shapes as a major tactical call.

With flat pitches and big scores expected at the World Cup, Maxwell says playing on the pocket-sized Nursery Ground, before moving to the bigger Ageas Bowl for the official warm-ups against England and Sri Lanka, will be good preparation for Australia's attack.

"It's good to put pressure on bowlers and when you get to the real games, you have a bit of respite," he said.

"Our last two games are out on the main ground which will be nice, a nice big ground, although I think we'll be on one short boundary by the looks of the wicket out there.

"It's good to practice your skills under heightened pressure and what you're going to get later in the tournament.

"I suppose that's why Australia’s been so successful at the past in World Cups and major tournaments, handling that pressure and handling tournament play.

"Hopefully by starting the tournament off on a small ground against a power-hitting side like the West Indies we can start to work on some things and nut some things out for the end of the tournament."

Australia will face West Indies in the tournament proper at Trent Bridge for their second match on June 6, five days after their opener against Afghanistan in Bristol.

As an unofficial warm-up game, there will be no live scores or live stream from Australia's match against the West Indies in Hampshire. The latest scores, news and video highlights will be on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app throughout the match

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 22: (warm-up) Australia v West Indies, Southampton

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE