Despite fielding a depleted squad with several key players absent, Australia delivered a commanding performance to defeat Namibia by 7 wickets in their opening T20 World Cup warm-up match in Trinidad and Tobago.
Opting to bowl first, Australia’s makeshift bowling attack, led by the impressive Josh Hazlewood, restricted Namibia to a modest total of 119/9 in their 20 overs. Hazlewood was the standout, returning figures of 2/5 from his 3 overs, which included 3 maiden overs. Adam Zampa also bowled well, picking up 3/25, while Nathan Ellis was economical with 1/17.
Namibia’s innings were propped up by a 38-run knock from Zane Green, but they struggled to build any substantial partnerships against the disciplined Australian bowling.
In response, Australia’s chase got off to a flying start, with Devid Warner and Mitchell Marsh putting on 39 runs in the first 3 overs. Warner then took charge, smashing 54 not out off just 21 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes, to guide Australia to victory with 10 overs to spare.
The Australian squad was missing several key players, including Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell, who were given extra time off following the IPL. This forced the team management to call upon some of the coaching staff to fill in as substitute fielders, with head coach Andrew McDonald, assistant coaches Brad Hodge and Andre Borovec, and national selector George Bailey all taking the field at various points.
Despite the makeshift nature of the Australian team, they looked in good touch, with Hazlewood setting the tone with a superb new-ball spell and Warner continuing his impressive from the IPL. The performance will be a boost for the defending champions as they look to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the main tournament.
“Probably a few of us needed to (play) coming off a big layoff was good to get out there, playing is always different to training, “Hazlewood said after the match. “The ball felt like it was coming out pretty good. The wicket looked a little bit tough early, probably a little bit slow, probably what we are going to encounter here in the West Indies so it’s just about keeping it pretty simple, sticking to the top of the stums, not trying too much and letting the wicket to its work.”
The win over Namibia follows the cancellation of Australia’s warm-up match against the USA due to rain, and the Netherlands’ impressive 20-run victory over Sri Lanka in another warm-up fixture.
Australia, who are the defending champions, are placed in Group B for the T20 World Cup, alongside arch-rivals England, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman. They will begin their tournament campaign against Oman on June 5 in Barbados.
The T20 World Cup promises to be an exciting affair, with the world’s best T20 teams vying for the coveted trophy. Australia’s dominant display against Namibia serves as a warning to their opponents, as the defending champions look to retain their title and cement their status as one of the powerhouse of the format.
Key Highlights
- Australia won the warm-up match against Namibia by 7 wickets
- Namibia scored 119/9 in their 20 overs, with Zane Green top-scoring with 38
- Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler for Australia, returning figures of 2/5 from 3 overs
- David Warner starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 54 off just 21 balls
- Australia was missing several key players, forcing the team management to call upon coaching staff as substitute fielders
- The win serves as a warning to Australia’s opponents as they look to defend their T20 World Cup title
Squads
Australia
- David Warner
- Tim David
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Mitchell Marsh
- Josh Inglis
- Mathew Wade
- Adam Zampa
- Ashton Agar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Ellis
- Pat Cummins
Namibia
- Malan Kruger
- Michael Van Lingen
- Nikolaas Devin
- David Wises
- Dylan Leicher
- Gerhard Erasmus
- Jan Frylinck
- JJ Smit
- Jean-Pierre Kotze
- Zane Green
- Ben Shikongo
- Bernard Scholtz
- Jack Brassell
- Pater-Daniel Blignaut
- Ruben Trumpelmann
- Tangeni Lungameni