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Co-hosts West Indies made a powerful statement ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, crushing Australia in their warm-up match in Trinidad. The Australians, fielding a team with only nine players, struggled as the Windies batters asserted their dominance, posting a massive total of 257/4, thanks to explosive half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and captain Rovman Powell.
Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell’s explosive batting
Pooran and Powell hit a combined 12 sixes, with Pooran smashing 75 off just 25 balls and Powell adding 52 off 25 deliveries. Their aggressive batting set a formidable target for the Australian side.
Australia’s brave response falls short
Despite being shorthanded, Australia managed to score 222/7 in their 20 overs but ultimately fell short by 35 runs. Their effort was valiant but insufficient to chase down the huge target set by the West Indies.
Shamar Joseph removes David Warner
Veteran opener David Warner was the first wicket to fall for the 2021 World Cup champions. Warner, who has announced his retirement from Test and ODI cricket, is expected to play his last T20 World Cup, with high expectations resting on his shoulders. However, Warner was unable to make a significant impact in the warm-up match as Shamar Joseph bowled a spectacular delivery to dismiss him.
On the fourth ball of the second over of Australia’s innings, Joseph bowled from around the wicket, delivering an angling-in delivery. Warner attempted to hit the ball towards mid-wicket but missed entirely, and the ball went on to hit the stumps.
Here is the video:
Also WATCH: Nicholas Pooran pummels Australia with 8 gigantic sixes in dominant T20 World Cup Warm-up display
Warner expresses his plans on Champions Trophy 2025
While Warner is set to entertain fans in the T20 World Cup, he also shared his thoughts on the 2025 Champions Trophy. Warner suggested that Australia might not require his services for the tournament, given the rise of Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk as opening options.
“They may not need me,” Warner told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Warner underscored the team’s ethos of fearlessness and collective contribution to their success. Regardless of individual roles within the team, their focus remains on giving their best and aiming to be match-winners. He emphasized the abundance of talent within the team, where any player can step up on any given day.
“We’ve always played fearless and I think that’s why we’ve been so successful over the last few years. We don’t care about our spot in a team, we just care about doing the best that we can, and making sure that whatever we’re doing, we’re trying to be that match winner. And the fortunate thing is that we’ve got so many of them. One might come off one day, the next day someone else will come off. So we just know that one person in that top six, if they can get anywhere between 60 to 80 runs at a good strike rate, we know we’re always going to post a good total,” added Warner
