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Australia displayed a commanding performance in their 24th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Namibia on Tuesday. Held at the prestigious Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Australian team secured a decisive victory by nine wickets. This win elevated them to the top of the Group B standings and ensured their progression to the Super 8 stage.
Stellar bowling performance despite Mitchell Starc’s absence
Despite Mitchell Starc being unavailable, the Australian bowling lineup delivered an exceptional performance. Adam Zampa was the standout performer, achieving remarkable figures of 4-0-12-4. Zampa’s scalps included Zane Green, David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, and Bernard Scholtz, helping Australia dismiss Namibia for just 72 runs in 17.4 overs.
Mitchell Marsh names the crucial player in the Aussie lineup
Zampa’s performance also marked a milestone as he became the third Australian, following Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt, and the first in Men’s T20Is, to claim 100 wickets. Captain Mitchell Marsh praised Zampa’s contributions, describing him as the most crucial player on the team.
“If you look at his career over the last 4-5 years, he’s probably our most important player. He loves the pressure, and he is bowling well at the moment, and we are lucky to have him,” Marsh told in the post-match presentation ceremony.
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Marsh reflects on team performance
In addition to Zampa, Marcus Stoinis and Josh Hazlewood each took two wickets. Australia then chased down the target in just 5.4 overs, with Travis Head‘s unbeaten 34 and David Warner’s quickfire 20 from eight balls sealing the victory.
Marsh underscored the significance of qualifying for the Super 8, indicating the team’s accomplishment and the strategic importance of managing resources effectively in the upcoming matches.
“I thought it was a great performance from the bowling team. Swing was around and all-round a professional performance. It’s really important and great to qualify for the super eights. We will manage as many as we can over the next few days,” Marsh added.
Scotland will be Australia’s final opponents in their group game on Saturday June 15th at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia. It is noteworthy that Australia are the only team from Group B that has qualified for the Super 8 stage while Namibia and Oman have been eliminated. The scramble for the last spot now lies between Scotland and England.
