Match Preview – AUS vs NAM 24th Match, Group B, T20 World Cup

Admin June 11, 2024

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Match Preview – AUS vs NAM 24th Match, Group B, T20 World Cup

Australia vs in Namibia
Antigua, 8.30pm local time

The Big Picture – Australia pose a tough challenge to Namibia

A number of so-called ‘big’ teams have found the tournament difficult so far – England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s prospects look dim while New Zealand have made a poor start. But MyAustralia, despite their early stumble against Oman, are tracking well after England’s good performance in Barbados.

A win over Namibia would guarantee progress to the Super Eights ahead of the final group game against Scotland – which is likely to be a tight one – although they will not want to leave anything to chance. The change of venue from Bridgetown to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua will also bring the need to adjust conditions, but there are very few holes in Mitchell Marsh’s squad, and depth on the bench.

The batting against England was a complete team effort with a top score of 39 out of 201 with Glenn Maxwell scoring a very low 112. Perhaps, if nitpicking, one of those converted scores would have wrapped things up, but it also showed how deep the batting order can go once the platform has been laid as was the case with David Warner and Travis Head.

The Namibian team is supported by Australia and under pressure England. Their captain Gerhard Erasmus was left frustrated with the way they played against Scotland when he thought his team had enough runs but they were below the top players on the field.

Form guide

(last five games, most recent first)
AustraliaWWWWW
in Namibia LW(Super Over)WWL

Featured: Adam Zampa and Bernard Scholtz

Adam Zampa he is settling into the tournament very nicely after coming off a long break following the Australian season. He has two wickets from both games and was one of the big difference against England when he claimed the dangerous Phil Salt with his first ball. He has developed into Australia’s best white-ball player and is now just four wickets away from becoming their first male player to reach 100 T20I wickets.

Left arm spinner Bernard Scholtz he was impressive in Namibia’s first two games and, along with the captain, was key in putting pressure on Scotland. He is 1 for 20 in both games, showing a range of skill with flight and pace, conceding one four and a six from his eight overs. The prospect of facing Australia’s heavy hitters will be a challenge but they would be wise not to take him lightly.

Team news: Australia looking for their quickness

Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia will not look too far ahead and will choose their best XI rather than rotate players for the game, although that could come against Scotland if qualification is to be guaranteed. However, he has left the door open for other fast car managers due to the tight schedule he has in place.

Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood

The only change Namibia have made so far is JP Kotze to Michael van Lingen – both have made the first overs. The balance of their team was slightly thrown out of kilter with Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit unable to bowl.

in Namibia (probable) 1 JP Kotze, 2 Nikolaas Davin, 3 Jan Frylinck, 4 Gerhard Erasmus (capt), 5 Malan Kruger, 6 Zane Green (wk), 7 David Wiese, 8 Ruben Trumpelmann, 9 JJ Smit, 10 Bernard Scholtz, 11 Tangeni Lungameni

Tone and context

The first signs from Antigua’s first game are that it could be a fast-scoring place as Scotland race against Oman. Breeze can play an important role in this area. The forecast is for changeable conditions but there is no major threat of rain.

David Wiese faced Australia four times in T20Is during his stint in South Africa

Quotes

“At one point in the middle, it was difficult without the power play, [and a] challenge with spin. I think it ended up being 28 off 25 balls. But it was an important innings in allowing other batsmen to get where we wanted them to. So, even though it wasn’t the dynamic innings we were used to with Glenn Maxwell, it was a different kind of innings.”
Andrew McDonald in the form of Glenn Maxwell

“I think everyone has been waiting a long time for these last two games against Australia and England. The two previous winners and those are the two teams you want to play and you want to make a mark in those games.”
Bernard Scholtz in the coming challenge

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Admin June 11, 2024

0 0 3 minutes read